Chlamydial antibodies in farmers in north-west England

Abstract

SUMMARYBecause of recent reports of abortion in farmers' wives following infection with ovine strains of Chlamydia psittaci during pregnancy, the distribution of chlamydial antibodies was studied in rural populations in north-west England, where endemic chlamydial infection with abortion is common in sheep.Immunoperoxidase assays with C. trachomatis and ovine C. psittaci showed no significant differences in either the frequency or titres of antibodies between sheep farmers and other types of farmer or non-farming adults living in the same areas. The frequency and titres of antibodies in farmers' wives were no greater than in farmers, and were unrelated to their previous obstetric history or type of farming. Overall, 62/255 (24%) of this rural population had antibody detected by C. trachomatis antigen and only 30/255 (13 %) detected by C. psittaci antigen. The possible significance of these findings is discussed. This survey does not suggest that the risk of infection with C. psittaci is especially high in people working with sheep, but the complications following infection during pregnancy deserve the specific instructions that have been given to pregnant women to avoid exposure, especially during lambing, in farming and veterinary work.

Zoonotic infections in Northern Ireland farmers

“…In Northern Ireland about 21 clinically ill patients are diagnosed serologically each year and a survey carried out by the Northern Ireland Regional Virus Laboratory in 1986 showed that 16 of 341 patient blood samples (4 7 %) from all over Northern Ireland had antibody to PLGV antigen. The finding of 38 (11 1 %) of the 341 farmers with antibody shows that the prevalence of infection is greater in this group than in the general Northern Ireland population but is similar to the 13 % antibody prevalence of farmers in North-West England [19].…”

Chlamydial infections of poultry and human health

“…Ireland with different animal stocks including poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses were tested for zoonotic diseases by Hobson and Morgan-Capner (1988) and Stanford et 171. (1990).…”