EXPERIMENTAL INFECTIONS OF PREGNANT SOWS WITH OVINE CHLAMYDIA-PSITTACI STRAINS

Four sows were experimentally inoculated at 42 days pregnancy, with the BS isolate of Chlamydia psittaci from aborted ewes. Their body temperature and health were monitored until 30 days after farrowing. The sows seroconverted but their reproductive performance was not impaired. Chlamydiae were identified in the afterbirths from two sows with normal litters using stained smears, ''Clearview'' and ''IDEIA(R)'' ELISA antigen detection tests. The presence of inclusion bodies was detected in sections of the infected fetal membranes after staining with haematoxylin and eosin, methylene blue and Streptavidin-Biotin using an anti-Chlamydia monoclonal antibody.