[Significance of causes of infectious abortion in sheep flocks in northern Baden-Württemberg with special reference to Chlamydia psittaci].

Investigations on the reasons of infectious abortion cases in sheep flocks in northern parts of Baden-Wuerttemberg eludicate the wide-spreading of Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) and its significance as the most frequent cause of abortions in sheep. Another important pathogen agent causing abortions is Salmonella abortus ovis (S. abortus ovis) which could be demonstrated by using a serological ELISA test. A less important role than C. psittaci and S. abortus ovis plays Coxiella burnetii in abortion of sheep. A high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and border disease infections in sheep flocks could be revealed by serological studies, too. Statistical evaluations of the obtained results demonstrate a significantly increased number of positively reacting female sheep in flocks suffering from abortions in comparison to those deriving from flocks devoid of abortion cases. Serological studies on leptospirosis and brucellosis exclude a participation of these pathogen agents in abortion cases in the investigated flocks at present. The significance of zoonosis originated from sheep is emphasized.