Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chlamydia psittaci: a suspected cause of reproductive loss in three Victorian horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Akter, R et al.
- Affiliation:
- The Melbourne Veterinary School · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving three horses in Victoria, Australia, researchers found a bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci that might be linked to reproductive problems. Two pregnant mares lost their foals in September 2019, and a third foal was born weak in October 2019 but died shortly after birth, despite veterinary help. Tests showed this bacteria in the lungs and membranes of the foals, and no other common causes for the losses were found. This suggests that Chlamydia psittaci could be responsible for these reproductive issues. The findings indicate that this bacteria should be considered a potential risk for horse pregnancies in other parts of Australia as well.
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci was detected by PCR in the lung and equine foetal membranes of two aborted equine foetuses and one weak foal from two different studs in Victoria, Australia. The abortions occurred in September 2019 in two mares sharing a paddock northeast of Melbourne. The weak foal was born in October 2019 in a similar geographical region and died soon after birth despite receiving veterinary care. The detection of C. psittaci DNA in the lung and equine foetal membranes of the aborted or weak foals and the absence of any other factors that are commonly associated with abortion or neonatal death suggest that this pathogen may be the cause of the reproductive loss. The detection of C. psittaci in these cases is consistent with the recent detection of C. psittaci in association with equine abortion in New South Wales. These cases in Victoria show that C. psittaci, and the zoonotic risk it poses, should be considered in association with equine reproductive loss in other areas of Australia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32830314/