Chlamydia and Chlamydophilia in small ruminants and other farm animals

Infection with Chlamydiae, specifically Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus, causes enzootic abortion in small ruminants. The disease is highly prevalent in most parts of the world and has a high economic impact especially on the sheep industry. Swine is another species that can suffer from chlamydial infection. Besides Cp. abortus, Cp. pecorum and Chlamydia (C.) suis can all cause reproductive failure. Unlike in small ruminants, chlamydiosis usually occurs as a sporadic event. In swine, the disease has several clinical manifestations (e.g. abortion, endometritis, vaginitis, vulval discharge) and is considered a multifactorial disease. In both small ruminants and swine, males can also get infected and then become diseased, and may shed Chlamydiae with their semen. This contribution will briefly describe chlamydial infection in small ruminants and swine with specific focus on reproduction.