Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy goats in Shaanxi Province, Northwestern China

Guang-Hui Zhao^1,2,3, Chuan-Chuan Shang¹, Yan-Qing Zhao¹, Man Gao¹, Guo-Ying Fan⁴, Ting-Ting Tian¹, Yun-Liang Yao¹, De-Kun Chen¹* and Xing-Quan Zhu^2,5*

¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, People’s Republic of China.

²State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People’s Republic of China.

³College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People’s Republic of China.

⁴College of Animal Science, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, People’s Republic of China.

⁵College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province 163319, People’s Republic of China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: cdk@nwsuaf.edu.cn, zhu1@hotmail.com. Tel: +86 931 8342837. Fax: +86 931 8340977.

Accepted 4 November, 2011

   Abstract

The prevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy goats in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China was determined by indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) on serum samples from 729 dairy goats (263 Saanen dairy goats and 466 Guanzhong dairy goats). Antibodies to Chlamydophila sp. were detected in 21 (2.88%) serum samples, with antibody titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:64. Seropositive goats were found only in three (Zhuangli town, Wangliao town and Yangling district) of the nine locations/herds examined in six counties. The prevalence of chlamydial infection was significantly related with locations/herds (χ2 = 54.36, P = 0.00) and breeds (χ2 = 56.50, P = 0.00). Both Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goats were positive for chlamydial infection, with higher seroprevalence in Saanen dairy goats (5.70%, 15/263) than that in Guanzhong dairy goat (1.29%, 6/466). The results of the present study indicate that more integrated strategies should be carried out to prevent and control chlamydiosis in goats in Shaanxi province.

Key words: Seroprevalence, chlamydial infection, dairy goats, Shaanxi Province, Northwestern China