No abstract

Abortion is a major issue in sheep husbandry. It can result in significant economic losses and a severe public health risk. This survey assessed the infectious and non-infectious causes of abortion in Iranian sheep flocks and determined the main risk factors. In this cross-sectional survey, causes of abortion were evaluated in 757 sheep flocks, and risk factors were analysed. A checklist containing general animal information for each abortion outbreak evaluated was filled in. Data were analysed using univariate tests and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In this sense, parity, gestational age of the aborted fetus, vaccination protocol, mineral supplementation and history of stillbirth showed significant associations with abortion. Infectious agents such as Coxiella burnetti (22.7%), Chlamydia abortus (12.3%) and Brucella melitensis (10.4%) were the most frequently isolated in the investigated flocks, with more than 2% of abortion rates. On the other hand, non-infectious agents such as trauma, pregnancy toxaemia and vitamin E/Se deficiency were involved in those flocks with low abortion rates (less than 10%). Results revealed multiple causes of abortion outbreaks among Iranian sheep flocks, which need careful investigation to identify possible aetiology and risk factors. Further studies are necessary to evaluate if these factors are similar to other countries in the same region.

Mastitis is mammary gland inflammation and as the purpose of Saanen and Alpine farms is milk production, control of mastitis is important. Antimicrobial resistance among mastitis pathogens has gradually been increasing. The aim of the present study was to isolate pathogenic bacteria from mastitis cases in Saanen and Alpine goats and to determine their antibiotic resistance in milk. The milk sample of 26 Saanen and 29 Alpine breeds with clinical mastitis was collected and cultured on general microbiological media. Then, the colonies were stained by gram staining and were assessed by differential media and biochemical tests. PCR was performed for the detection of Mycoplasma spp. The isolated bacteria were tested against 12 antibacterial disks. The significant difference in drug resistance levels between the Saanen and Alpine breeds was statistically assessed. Mycoplasma spp. was detected in 12.73% of samples. The frequency of the isolated bacteria was Escherichia coli (29.1%), Trueperella pyogenes (25.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (16.4%), Streptococcus agalactiae (9.1%), coagulase negative staphylococci (5.5%), and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (1.8%) respectively. The significant difference between Saanen and Alpine was observed in antibiotic resistance to amoxicillin which showed more resistance in the Alpine breed. All the isolated bacteria showed multidrug resistance. Based on the obtained data using of antibiotics more accurate and using antibiogram test by clinician is necessary in the treatment of mastitis.