Prevalence of brucellosis, chlamydiosis and toxoplasmosis in small ruminants in Mali: results of an sero-epidemiological survey

Abstract

In Mali, the short cycle animal species livestock in general and that of small ruminants in particular is a valuable source of income and protein for the populations. However, among the constraints to the improvement of the productivity of this livestock, the losses in reproduction, whose causes remain poorly known. Data on the role of microbial infections are fragmentary. The purpose of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of  brucellosis due to Brucella ovis, chlamydiosis due to Chlamydia abortus, and toxoplasmosis to Toxoplasma gondii, which may cause reproductive losses in these animal species.The study was carried  in for sites in total including Keniebougou ( Segou areas), Nioro (Nioro areas), Bougouni (Bougouni areas) and Briga (Koro areas) chosen in close collaboration with the technical services et animal holders in the targeted localities. A total of 872 sera (368 sheep and 504 goats) from animals showing signs of reproductive loss were tested by the indirect Elisa method. Of these, 81 (9.28%) were positive (1.26% for brucellosis due to Brucella ovis, 3.55% for Chlamydia abortus chlamydiosis, and 4.47% for Toxoplasma gondii toxoplasmosis). The detected antibodies are considered to be of infectious origin, since the selected animals have never been vaccinated against the investigated diseases and this confirm the circulation of the etiological agents of the tree abortive diseases among small ruminant populations in Mali.