Reinhold Petra, Jaeger Julia, Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth, Berndt Angela, Bachmann Ruediger, Schubert Evelyn, Melzer Falk, Elschner Mandy, Sachse Konrad
Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Naumburger Street 96 a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Vet J. 2008 Feb;175(2):202-11. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.01.004. Epub 2007 Feb 21.
To assess long-term effects of naturally occurring infection with Chlamydophila spp. on animal health, 25 calves were grouped according to their chlamydial carrier status and checked for health parameters from 2 to 7 months of age. Monthly PCR testing revealed persistent or frequently recurring infections with Chlamydophila pecorum and Chlamydophila abortus in Group 2 (Chl+, n=13), but not in Group 1 (Chl-, n=12). Despite the absence of any clinical illness, calves in Group 2 showed significantly higher body temperatures (subfebrile), lower bodyweights, reduced serum iron concentrations, lower total haemoglobin and haematocrit values. Counting and flow cytometric differentiation of peripheral white blood cells revealed a general decrease in leukocytes in Group 2. At necropsy, follicular bronchiolitis was found in 10/13 calves in Group 2 but in none of Group 1, and the weight of pharyngeal tonsils was significantly higher in Group 2. In conclusion, naturally occurring infections with Chlamydophila species in calves were found to be associated with chronic effects on animal health at a subclinical level.
为评估自然感染嗜衣原体对动物健康的长期影响，根据衣原体携带状况将25头犊牛分组，并在2至7月龄期间检查其健康参数。每月的聚合酶链反应检测显示，第2组（Chl +，n = 13）存在持续或频繁复发的嗜肺衣原体和流产嗜衣原体感染，而第1组（Chl -，n = 12）未出现此类感染。尽管未出现任何临床疾病，但第2组犊牛的体温明显较高（低热）、体重较低、血清铁浓度降低、总血红蛋白和血细胞比容值较低。外周血白细胞计数和流式细胞术分化显示，第2组白细胞普遍减少。尸检时，第2组13头犊牛中有10头发现滤泡性细支气管炎，而第1组未发现，且第2组咽扁桃体重量明显更高。总之，发现犊牛自然感染嗜衣原体与亚临床水平的动物健康慢性影响有关。
