Sero-diagnosis of listeria monocytogenes infection in sheep

Author(s): Ibrahim HA Abd El-Rahim*, Atif H Asghar, Shawkat M Fat'hi, Omar B Ahmed

Abstract

Annually huge numbers of small ruminants particularly sheep were imported into Saudi Arabia shortly before pilgrimage season mostly from countries of the Horn of Africa, where circling disease (Listeria monocytogenes) is endemic. These imported animals may be actually or previously infected with L. monocytogenes without showing any clinical manifestations. Anti-Listeriolysin O (LLO) enzyme linked immuosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for determination of the seroprevelance of L. monocytogenes infection among 1000 randomly selected sheep. In addition, public health significant as well as entrance of such zoonotic diseases into the country through imported animals was discussed. Out of 1000 tested sera, 178 (17.8%) were carried antibodies against Listeriolysin O (LLO) protein of L. monocytogenes. The present study suggested that circling disease should be added to the list of the quarantine infectious diseases. It was recommended that Anti-LLO ELISA could be applied for serodiagnosis of the previous exposure of the imported ruminates to the L. monocytogenes.

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