The aims of the present study were to evaluate the estimated diagnostic accuracy of a new microtube column agglutination system (DG Gel, Diagnostic Grifols, Barcelona, Spain), to analyse the antibody reactivity and to compare the data with the two well-established DiaMed-ID and Ortho BioVue systems. We collected 3024 consecutive samples from blood donors, transfusion recipients and pregnant women, and 100 samples containing antibodies of known specificity. All these samples were tested in parallel by the three microtube agglutination systems. The estimated sensitivity was 100% for DG Gel and Ortho BioVue and 97.58% for DiaMed-ID. The estimated specificity was 99.93% for Ortho BioVue and 100% for DiaMed-ID and DG Gel. The score mean and range of the antibody titration of DG Gel, DiaMed-ID and Ortho BioVue were 34.31 (5-119), 30.3 (3-121) and 37.38 (3-112), respectively. All three column agglutination systems work well showing a high estimated diagnostic accuracy.

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Chlamydophila abortus is one of the pathogens which induce abortion in small ruminants; this pathogen has a tropism for ruminant placenta and causes the disease commonly referred to as Ovine Enzootic Abortion (OEA). In Europe are estimated economic losses of around 20 million pounds a year by OEA. In the American Continent the disease has been reported only in Canada, the United States, Colombia and Chile while in Mexico it is unknown whether OEA is common and it is causing abortions in flocks of sheep from "Estado de Mexico". The objective of this study was investigating the prevalence of anti-Chlamydophila abortus IgG antibodies and detection of C. abortus DNA in sheep with clinical abort history by mean of ELISA assay (C. abortus ELISA, Institute Pourquier, Montpellier, France) and molecular identification of the principal outer membrane protein (POMP 90-91B) gene by PCR, respectively. A cross-sectional study was carried out to enroll and random sample of ewes from november 2003 until march 2005. A total of 349 sera and vaginal swabs samples were collected from 35 flocks of sheep from Xalatlaco. The results showed that the seropositive rate was 31.1% (14/45) for healthy and 21.3% (65/304) for sheep with history clinical of abort. In vaginal swabs, the PCR showed 0% (0/45) for healthy animals and 0.65% (2/304) for aborted sheep. Samples from the lungs and liver of the fetus of one of these animals were also positive for C. abortus. In conclusion, these results confirmed that infection with C. abortus is common and is affecting sheep flocks in the Mexican highlands. Therefore, is necessary that the authorities responsible for animal welfare in Mexico (SAGARPA) to set up appropriate epidemiological surveillance and control programs to eradicate this disease.

Chlamydia trachomatis is considered as the bacterium that is more sexually transmitted as cause of male urethritis, epididymitis, orchitis and infertility. A total of 116 semen samples of men whose couples are infertile women were analysed. The quality of the semen was measured by standard procedures recommended by WHO while C. trachomatis was detected by the PCR assay. Thirty-seven semen samples were positive for C. trachomatis (31.9%). Regarding semen analysis, no different values were observed between positive and negative samples to C. trachomatis. However, the presence of leucocytes and erythrocytes suggests an inflammatory process; however, these were high in negative samples to C. trachomatis. Furthermore, an association between low seminal volume at 1, 5 ml and the positivity to C. trachomatis was observed (OR=2, 1; CI % 1,16-3,07). The total semen volume is a contribution by the various accessory glands (this reflects the secretory activity of the glands); a low semen volume could be due to an obstruction of the ejaculatory duct or infection of accessory glands by C. trachomatis. More studies are necessary to identify the causes of a reduced semen volume.