Benmebarek Hayem, Djeffal Samia, Benhamza Louiza, Bouaziz Omar, Medjedoub Sarra, Smadi Mustapha Adnane, Boufendi Houda, Temime Asma, Rolain Jean-Marc, Diene Seydina M
GSPA Research Laboratory (Management of Animal Health and Productions), Institute of Veterinary Sciences University Frères Mentouri Constantine Algeria.
Department of Agronomy University 20 Août Skikda Algeria.
Vet Rec Open. 2025 Sep 13;12(2):e70021. doi: 10.1002/vro2.70021. eCollection 2025 Dec.
Neonatal lamb mortality affects the sheep flock's productivity. In Algeria, data are very limited, making investigations quite relevant. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal lamb mortality, describe gross and histopathological lesions on affected organs, and identify bacterial pathogens involved.
Thirty-five sheep farms located in Constantine participated in this survey between February and December 2022. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to describe monitoring practices and to identify associated risk factors. Twenty-two collected lamb corpses (immediate postmortem changes) underwent detailed postmortem examinations, including anatomopathological, histopathological and microbiological analyses.
The recorded neonatal mortality rate was 5.74%. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between mortality and factors such as soil and livestock building hygiene, as well as the breeding system used (< 0.05). The lungs, liver, kidneys and heart were the most affected organs. Causes of death included respiratory disorders, omphalitis with septicaemia, stillbirth, trauma and starvation-hypothermia syndrome. From these organs, 218 bacterial strains were isolated, mainly Enterobacteriaceae ( spp., spp.), causing primary infections, alongside non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli ( spp., spp.), responsible for the associated septicaemic evolution. According to the EUCAST breakpoints, isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics: amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. Notably, only spp. strains harboured genes.
This study concluded that improved sanitary protocols, early diagnosis and antimicrobial testing are crucial to prevent neonatal mortality. It also recommended larger studies and farmer training programmes to enhance lambing and neonatal care practices.
新生羔羊死亡率影响羊群的生产力。在阿尔及利亚，相关数据非常有限，因此开展调查很有必要。本研究旨在确定与新生羔羊死亡率相关的风险因素，描述受影响器官的大体和组织病理学病变，并识别其中涉及的细菌病原体。
2022年2月至12月期间，位于君士坦丁的35个养羊场参与了此项调查。使用一份流行病学调查问卷来描述监测措施并识别相关风险因素。对收集到的22具羔羊尸体（死后即刻变化）进行了详细的尸检，包括解剖病理学、组织病理学和微生物学分析。
记录的新生羔羊死亡率为5.74%。统计分析显示，死亡率与土壤和畜舍卫生状况以及所采用的繁殖系统等因素之间存在显著关联（<0.05）。肺、肝、肾和心脏是受影响最严重的器官。死亡原因包括呼吸系统疾病、伴有败血症的脐炎、死产、外伤以及饥饿 - 体温过低综合征。从这些器官中分离出218株细菌菌株，主要是肠杆菌科（ 属、 属），引起原发性感染，还有非发酵革兰氏阴性杆菌（ 属、 属），导致相关的败血症演变。根据欧盟药敏试验委员会（EUCAST）的断点标准，分离菌株对常用抗生素耐药：阿莫西林、阿莫西林/克拉维酸、甲氧苄啶/磺胺甲恶唑和四环素。值得注意的是，只有 属菌株携带 基因。
本研究得出结论，改进卫生规程、早期诊断和抗菌药物检测对于预防新生羔羊死亡至关重要。研究还建议开展更大规模的研究以及农民培训项目，以改善产羔和新生羔羊护理措施。
