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First report of an outbreak of ovine septicaemic listeriosis in Saudi Arabia

2001; World Organisation for Animal Health; Volume: 20; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.20506/rst.20.3.1312

1608-0653

A.M. AL-Dughaym, A. FADL ELMULA, G.E. MOHAMED, Amira Aly Hegazy, Yasser Radwan, Fadhel Housawi, A. A. Gameel,

Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

Although a case of human listeriosis has recently been reported in Saudi Arabia, the disease has not been reported in animals to date. The authors describe an outbreak of septicaemic listeriosis in sheep, which occurred during winter. Adult animals and pregnant ewes were principally affected, with a morbidity rate of 7.1% and a mortality rate of 2.4%; no abortions were recorded during the outbreak. Clinical signs included inappetence, weakness, fever, respiratory distress, keratoconjunctivitis and compulsive circling. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in pure culture from affected sheep. Pathological findings indicated septicaemic listeriosis with encephalitis. Hygienic measures and antibiotics were successful in treating the rest of the flock. Aspects of the outbreak and public health implications are discussed.