Exposure to Zoonotic Abortifacients among Sheep and Goats in Grenada

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exposure to the zoonotic abortifacients Brucella spp, Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydophila abortus among sheep and goats in the Caribbean Tri-Island state of Grenada. Documentation of exposure to these important bacterial pathogens will facilitate instituting appropriate prevention and control measures. Serum samples were collected from 582 animals from the islands of Grenada and Carriacou during 2009-2010. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determination of antibodies to smooth lipopolysaccharides (s-LPS) of B. abortus strain S-99, inactivated C. abortus antigens and to C. burnetii phase I and II purified antigens. None of the animals examined tested positive for antibody to C. burnetii. Evidence of Brucella exposure was noted in 13 (3.6%) of 362 sheep, representing animals from both islands of Grenada and Carriacou, whereas none of the 220 goats examined tested positive. Exposure to either Brucella abortus or B. melitensis could account for the detected antibody to Brucella s-LPS antigens. Antibody to C. abortus was detected in 6.0% of animals tested (24 sheep and 10 goats), representing animals from Carriacou and all 6 parishes of Grenada. Taken together, our results indicate moderate widespread exposure of small ruminants to the zoonotic abortifacients Brucella spp and Chlamydophila abortus in the tri-island state of Grenada and is the first report documenting such exposures in any animal species in this region of the Caribbean.