EXOone Chlamydia abortus

Description

Chlamydia abortus is an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that is endemic around the world and infects domestic ruminants, pigs, rabbits, horses and other mammals. This pathogen causes the Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE), one of the most common reproductive disorder in many small ruminant-rearing countries. It also can cause abortions in goats and less frequently in cattle and pigs.
Infection by C. abortus can induce arthritis, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia in calves and lambs born live from infected females. In males, this pathogen can reach reproductive organs affecting the semen quality with shedding of the bacteria in the sperm. Bovine chlamydial pneumonia and bovine encephalomyelitis has also been recorded. In addition to the economic losses, C. abortus is a zoonotic risk and can induce a influenza-like illness and abortion in women.