COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTION WITH BACTERIUM Chlamydia sp. IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS

The development of technology and the introduction of new diagnostic procedures during last ten years isolation of four chlamydia species from humans, domestic and wild animals: Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The evaluation of the results of diagnostic methods for establishing the infection with C. psittaci largely depends on the recognition of the anamnesis, clinical signs, pathoanatomic and histopathologic findings, previous treatment, regular taking of the specimens, quick transport as well as the choice and the performance of the diagnostic methods. Serological control of the ruminants for the presence of antibodies to C. psittaci is assumed to be a basic measure for control of this important contagious disease, which often appears in a latent form. To establish the infection of domestic ruminants with C. psittaci species we have applied besides the anamnestic, clinical and pathoanatomic findings, also serological methods for the detection of antibodies: Chlamydia enzyme liked immunosorbent assay, (ELISA), complement fixation, (CF) and indirect immunofluorescent test, (IIF). To prove the presence of antigens we have used the direct immunofluorescent test (DIF) and Clearview test. Our research of Chlamydiosis included 20 breeding unites 10 herds of cattle, 5 flocks of sheep and 5 flocks of goats which showed clinical signs specific for chlamydiosis of ruminants (such as abortion, death of sucklings, stillbirths, keratoconjunctivitis, polyarthitis, encephalomyelitis, pneumonia and enteritis). We have established seroprevalence of C. psittaci  in 12.3 % of 374 seraum samples (from cattle, sheep and goats) tested with CF test in 33,2% of 184 seraum samples tested with ELISA, and  in 28.6 of 70 seraum samples tested with IIF. The comparative testing of 171 seraum samples from cattle, sheep and goats with two different serological methods CF and ELISA, indicates that ELISA is able to detect higher number of serologically positive animals (35.7%) than the did simultaneous CF test (12.9%). The sensitivity of ELISA was 91% and its specificity 72 %. ELISA and IIF are considered to be more sensitive then CF test as they showed significantly higher sensitivity for the detection of  antibodies to C. psittaci. Out of  41 ruminants examined (111 swabs and smears of different organs) with DIF and Clearview test we have detected the presence of antigen in lungs and liver of one bull-calf and in brain from one calf. The Clearview test revealed the presence of antigen in the swab of conjunctiva from one sheep which was also confirmed with the DIF test. The diagnosis of chlamydiosis is considered to be proved if the clinical symptoms of the disease are apparent, and the presence of specific antibodies are detected with one of the serological test applied or when the antigen was demonstrated in the organs. The used of only one serological procedure is not quite reliable for the diagnosis of chlamydiosis because the antibodies and/or antigens can not be demonstrated in all diseased ruminants. A prerequisite for successful breeding of cattle, sheep and goats in large industries and small farms is a favourable epizootiological situation  with chlamydiosis in the country, and a systematic application of diagnostic methods which we have tested in this study. The application of these diagnostic methods is essential in routine diagnosis of chlamydiosis