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Background: Chlamydia abortus infections (Chlamydiosis) can cause reproductive problems in sheep, such as abortions and birth defects, leading to farm productivity loss. The symptoms, which are similar to other reproductive diseases, and the microbial pathogenesis make the clinical diagnosis difficult. Chlamydia abortus is a zoonotic pathogen, making it a public health issue because it can infect and induce abortions in humans. This study investigated anti-C. abortus antibody levels and infection risk factors in sheep in the State of Ceará, Brazil. Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-three properties from 10 municipalities in 4 mesoregions in the State of Ceará, Brazil (Sertões, metropolitan Fortaleza, North Ceará and Northwest Ceará) with sheep, goats, cattle, and horses were visited. Five hundred and four serological samples from sheep were collected and tested for anti-C. abortus antibodies using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) [IDEXX®, Australia] and all procedures were performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of EMBRAPA Goats and Sheep (Sobral, Brazil). Individual questionnaires were completed about sheep breeding practices and to identify possible C. abortus risks. Seropositive results were found in 18.45 % (93/504 individuals) of sheep, and 88.37 % (38/43 properties) of the herds had at least one seropositive animal. The number of seropositive individuals was significantly different between adults and ewes [P < 0.01; Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.510; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.306 - 0.850]. Logistic regression modeling identified a missing health certificate request for newly acquired animals as a chlamydiosis risk factor [P = 0.038; OR = 2.672; 95% CI = 1.058 - 6.749]. Discussion: The prevalence of anti-C. abortus antibodies in sheep in the State of Ceará emphasizes the importance of testing and tracking the disease spread among herds; these results were similar to studies in other areas of Brazil. Adult sheep that spend more time on the property may have a higher exposure risk because of increased reproductive activity. Misinformation and technical limitations can influence the proper handling of animals avoiding contagion through the correct use of techniques and recommendations. Disease transmission occurs through the digestive tract and between mother and fetus. Therefore, seropositive (infected) sheep may be related to the breeding system practices, such as allowing contact between sheep and other species on the property (goats, cattle, and horses) during breeding. Acquiring animals from external sources without sufficient health information can increase the transmission risk. Contaminated pastures, water, food, and air also increase transmission risk. The lack of technical and practical knowledge regarding disease prevention and control also contributes to disease transmission, resulting in reproductive losses due to high abortion rates. Chlamydia abortus has zoonotic potential and may infect humans without proper safety information. Therefore, future epidemiological studies are required for a better understanding of the primary risk factors for disease occurrence and spread among herds in the region. Chlamydia abortus infection is present in sheep in Ceará, Brazil. Chlamydiosis information programs should be adopted, sanitary measures implemented, and the epidemiological surveillance of sheep herds strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chlamydophilosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila abortus, responsible for reproductive damage in small ruminants, and economic losses to animal production. In addition, it is classified as a zoonosis once it presents symptoms similar to numerous bacterial and viral infections of the reproductive system, making clinical diagnosis difficult. The objective of this work was to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-C. abortus antibodies in goats and to identify the risk factors for the disease in two mesoregions of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Material, Methods & Results: This research was carried out in two mesoregions of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (Central Potiguar - CP and West Potiguar - WP) located in the Northeast of Brazil. These mesoregions together represent 83% of the regional herd. A total of 54 properties were studied. Those are distributed in seven municipalities: Afonso Bezerra, Angicos, Lages and Pedro Avelino, in the CP mesoregion; and Apodi, Caraúbas, and Mossoró, in the OP mesoregion. We used 540 animals from herds characterized as non-defined breed (NDB) and native breed, regardless of their productive functions, being frequent the consortium of caprine and ovine species. Blood samples were collected through jugular venipuncture by vacuum system with 5 mL tubes without anticoagulant. After collection, the tubes were centrifuged at 1500 g for 15 min. Detection of anti-Chlamydophila sp. antibodies was performed by the Complement Fixation Test. In parallel with the collection, a questionnaire was applied addressing general property and producer characteristics. Seroprevalence of chlamydophilosis in the CP mesoregion was 3.04% (7/230) for the animals and 26.1% (6/23) for the properties, whereas, in the WP mesoregion, the values were 4.2% (13/310) and 35.5% (11/31), respectively. In the final logistic regression model, no variable analyzed was considered to be associated with a higher probability of C. abortus positive properties. There was no significant difference (P = 0.76) in the infection among the studied mesoregions. All the seven municipalities evaluated, had at least one positive property. No serology was found with titers greater than 1:32. The results of the suspects with titers of 1:16 were 3.9% (9/230) in the CP and 3.5% (11/310) in the WP mesoregion. None of the 82 breeding animals tested were C. abortus reagent, but three were suspected. The highest prevalence for the infection was seen in the matrices with 5.6% (18/321), followed by young females with 2.9% (1/35), young males with 1.2% (1/82) and breeding animals with 0% (0/82). Discussion: The seroprevalence to Chlamydophila abortus found in the state of Rio Grande do Norte was lower than that found in most Brazilian states, and even in other countries. The presence of properties with positive animals displays a risk of dissemination of the disease in the region. In addition, the presence of suspect animals may indicate a much larger number of positive animals. The existence of false-negative animals in the herd can lead to difficulties in controlling and eradicating this disease. Although none of the breeding animals were reagent to C. abortus in the CF test, the possibility of venereal transmission should not be discarded. As some animals remained suspects, it may indicate an initial infection phase and seroconversion process, possibly characterizing future transmitters of the bacterium via semen. However, even though seroprevalence was numerically low, this disease should be a cause for concern due to its severity and spread capacity among herds, and especially because it is a zoonosis. We conclude that chlamydophilosis is present in goat breeding in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and female animals are more susceptible to Chlamydophila abortus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flock-level prevalence was 76.3 %, and animal-level prevalence was 14.94 %. • Ceará and Paraíba states presented the highest flock and animal level prevalence. • Most of factors associated with Leptospira sp. seroprevalence are related to management issues. Sheep farming has shown expressive growth, even in the Northeast region of Brazil, with rainfall below expectations in the last decade. This growth has been observed not only in the number of herds, but also in the number of properties involved in sheep farming. Although expressive, the production of small ruminants still presents low levels of performance, mainly due to the occurrence of diseases, which constitute an obstacle to this activity. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in sheep in Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 3438 sheep in 190 herds from 48 municipalities, belonging to the states of Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Serological diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 76.3 % (95 % CI = 69.79–81.81) of the herds there was at least one animal seropositive for at least one of the Leptospira spp. serogroups and 14.94 % (95 %CI = 13.8–16.18) of the animals were seropositive. The state of Paraíba had the highest herd (95.7 %) and animal (26.6 %) prevalences, followed by Ceará (93.9 % and 23.7 %, respectively). The most frequent serogroups were Autumnalis (18.68 %), Australis (17.9 %) and Pyrogenes (15.18 %). There was no association between the studied variables and the herd-level prevalence of leptospirosis. High herd and animal-level seroprevalences was found for sheep leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, and there is a need to implement control and prevention measures, such as quarantine, serology, vaccination and adequate treatment, in addition to the introduction of proven healthy animals, mainly in the states of Paraíba and Ceará, aiming to reduce the prevalence of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]