This article aims at the presentation of endemic chlamydial colonizers of
placenta in ewes. Chlamydophila abortus is the common bacteria causing
enzootic abortion in sheep herds. Clinically, it is characterized by loss of lambs
in late pregnancy, stillbirths or premature births of weak or dead kids. Retained
placenta and vaginal discharge are common clinical signs. Lambs born with
low birth weight developed polyarthritis. In rams C. abortus causes vesiculitis
and epididymitis. Diagnosis of enzootic abortion is based on the detection
of C. abortus antigens by ELISA or IF test, and nucleic acid of the causative
agent by PCR, RT-PCR in the aborted fetuses, fetal membranes and vaginal
discharge. Serological tests as CFT and ELISA may be also used, however their
value is limited. Currently, two types of a vaccine, inactivated and attenuated,
live vaccines, are available commercially, to be administered intramuscularly
or subcutaneously at least 6 weeks before breeding, to aid in the prevention of
ovine abortion. A multi-component, recombinant vaccines against C. abortus
COMC, OG-COMC and recombinant vaccine MIP/CPAF remain a future goal of
chlamydial vaccine research.