Prevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii in goat herds in Poland

An epidemiological study was carried out to determine the herd prevalence of Chlamydophila aborms and Coxiella burnetii antibodies in gotas covered by a milk recording program in Poland. The survey took place in 2007 and 48 herds located in different parts of the country were involved. A representative sample from each herd was taken by a simple random sampling allowing to detect seropositivity of a herd on a 95% level of confidence. In total 918 goats were tested for specific antibodies against both germs with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Ill addition, history of reproductive failures wits recorded in these herds. The survey revealed that the herd prevalence of C. aborms was 4.2% (2 herds) while no C. burneiii antibodies were found. Abortions were reported to he a problem in 80% of herds while repeating estrus was encountered in 46% of herds. Reproductive failure concerned two seropositive herds its well. Since the germ is present ill the population, it has to be taken into consideration in diagnostic process. Nevertheless, the results of the present study indicate that C. abortus infection occurs infrequently ill Polish goats. As no antibodies against C. burneiii were detected in the screened sample the risk of goal-to-human transmission of both bacteria in Poland seems to be very low.