Sexuality and Infertility.

Infertility diagnoses and treatment can lead to psychological distress and relationship strain. Infertility is commonly associated with disruptions in sexual function and satisfaction among women, in part due to overlapping etiologic factors (eg, comorbid medical conditions). Women and couples with infertility should be screened for sexual problems and provided education on the relationship between infertility and sexuality. Sexual dysfunction in the context of infertility is often best addressed using an interdisciplinary approach. This article provides a summary on the relationship between sexuality and infertility and recommendations for the assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in women with infertility.

Sheep abortions associated with Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infections in multiple flocks from Southern Brazil.

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are important parasitic causes of abortions in small ruminants. This study verified the occurrence of these diseases in sheep fetuses from Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil from 2015 to 2022. Sheep fetuses were necropsied with organ sampling for histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii using the Nc5 and SAG2 targets, respectively, in frozen brain tissue. Microbiological culture and RT-PCR for Pestivirus were conducted to discard other abortion causes. One positive fetus for toxoplasmosis was genotyped using multiplex multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP) with ten genetic markers. Fifty-five sheep fetuses were evaluated, with 10 (18.2%) cases of neosporosis and 7 (12.7%) cases of toxoplasmosis, comprising six and four flocks, respectively. Macroscopically, neosporosis abortions exhibited fetal mummification, maceration, and arthrogryposis. Toxoplasmosis abortions showed fetal mummification and maceration. The neosporosis abortions included lymphoplasmacytic myositis (70%; 7/10) and myocarditis (60%; 6/10), in addition to necrotizing encephalitis and gliosis (50%; 5/10). Toxoplasmosis abortions included lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing encephalitis (71.4%; 5/7), lymphoplasmacytic myositis (42.8%, 3/7), and myocarditis (14.3%; 1/7). Through PCR, N. caninum and T. gondii were detected in 6 (60%) and 5 (71.4%) fetuses, respectively. In one fetus, T. gondii genotyping was conducted, which was characterized as atypical genotype ToxoDB #98. All of the cases were negative for Pestivirus and bacterial agents. This study establishes the occurrence of these diseases as causes of abortions, malformations, mummification, and fetal maceration in sheep, with the characterization of an atypical T. gondii genotype in one of the fetuses.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Bulls.

Reproduction is essential for successful cow-calf and dairy production and the most important economic trait for cow-calf producers. For efficient reproduction to occur in beef herds, cows or heifers must conceive early during the breeding season, maintain the pregnancy, calve unassisted or with very little assistance, rebred in a timely manner and wean a calf every year. In the case of dairy cattle, cows or heifers are expected to become pregnant, maintain the pregnancy, and calve every 12 to 15 months to produce milk. Interruption of that process leads to delay or total loss of production. Although fertile bulls are required to achieve reproduction, they come with potential risk of transmitting disease during breeding.

Uncommon bovine viral diarrhea virus subtype 1e associated with abortions in cattle in southern Brazil.

We characterized bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-related abortions in cattle and identified the species and subgenotypes in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Our RT-PCR assay was positive for BVDV in 5 fetuses from different farms; however, 3 of the 5 fetuses were also PCR-positive for Neospora caninum. In the 5 BVDV-positive fetuses, gross lesions included fetal mummification (1), hepatomegaly (1), subcutaneous edema (1), and perirenal edema (1). Predominant histologic lesions included epicarditis and mild-to-moderate lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis (5), mild multifocal lymphoplasmacytic interlobular pneumonia (4), nephrosis associated with moderate multifocal interstitial nephritis (1), moderate multifocal lymphoplasmacytic necrotic hepatitis (1), and mild multifocal lymphoplasmacytic meningitis (1). The amplification products from the Pestivirus 5'UTR region of 4 of the 5 fetuses had 96.3-100% similarity between fetal strains and reference strains. The samples were distributed into 2 branches of the phylogenetic tree; strains UDESC:01, UDESC:02, and UDESC:05 clustered in the BVDV-1e branch, uncommon in the Americas, and strain UDESC:04 clustered in the BVDV-2b branch. The three 1e strains had 96.9-97.4% similarity.

"There's no time limit on grief:" Women's perspectives on a novel reproductive grief screening tool.

Objective: Women who have experienced reproductive loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion) evaluated the usefulness of a novel screening tool, Reproductive Grief Screen (RGS), to identify patients struggling with ongoing, complicated grief. Methods: This mixed-methods study involved U.S. women who had experienced reproductive loss. Online data collection resulted in 27 interviews and 282 surveys completed. Perceptions of and preferences about RGS were thematically analyzed. Chi square analyses assessed relationships between demographics and tool preferences. Results: RGS validated women's experiences with grief after reproductive loss. Women noted their providers may be unaware of their loss(es). Participants requested periodic screening using RGS beginning shortly after a loss (or during new patient intake) and occurring regularly (e.g., annually). Overall, women preferred completing RGS online before an appointment, though preferences varied by demographics (i.e., age, time since loss). Participants want providers to compassionately discuss RGS results with them and offer appropriate resources. Conclusion: The RGS can help identify largely ignored grief after reproductive loss. Innovation: Findings from group and individual interviews and a survey of women who have coped with reproductive loss suggest that use of a brief RGS tool could reshape clinical practice to aid women who might be facing complicated grief. Moreover, women expressed clear preferences for how to implement use of the RGS in clinical contexts.

Classification of Bisgaard taxon 6 and taxon 10 as Exercitatus varius gen. nov., sp. nov.

Forty-one isolates of Bisgaard taxon 6 obtained from guinea pigs, pandas, pigs and muskrat and isolates of taxon 10 from horses and horse bites in humans were subjected phenotypic characterization. Production of acid from (-)-d-mannitol, (-)-d-sorbitol and (+)-d-glycogen separated taxon 10 (positive) from taxon 6 (negative), while from two to 11 phenotypic characteristics separated taxa 6 and 10 from the 32 genera of Pasteurellaceae reported so far. Forty-four strains were genetically characterized. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes documented a monophyletic relationship at the species level and the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.6 % to other species was found between strain CCUG 15568T and the type strain of Mannheimia glucosida (CCUG 38457T). Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values predicted from whole genomic sequences between CCUG 15568T and other characterized strains of taxa 6 and 10 were 69.3-99.9 %. The average nucleotide identity values were higher than 95 % for all strains. The highest dDDH value of 29 % outside the taxa 6 and 10 group was obtained with the genome of the type strain of [Actinobacillus] succinogenes, indicating a separate taxonomic status at species level to taxa 6 and 10. The phylogenetic comparison of concatenated conserved protein sequences showed the unique position of the taxa investigated in the current study which qualified for the status of a new genus since the highest identity was found with Basfia with 79 %, well below the upper threshold between genera of 85 %. Based upon the low genetic similarity to other genera of the family Pasteurellaceae and a unique phenotype, we suggest that Bisgaard taxa 6 and 10 should be classified as Exercitatus varius gen. nov., sp. nov. The G+C of the type strain of Exercitatus varius, 8.5T (=CCUG 15568T=DSM 115565T), is 46.2 mol%, calculated from the whole genome.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats: serological, pathological, and clinical monitoring during gestation.

This study aimed to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant goats. The goats were divided into two groups: group one (G1) comprised of 31 pregnant goats naturally infected with T. gondii, and group two (G2) comprised of seven uninfected pregnant goats from a flock with a history of abortion due to toxoplasmosis. Serological investigation, ultrasonography, and clinical testing were performed on all goats during gestation. Serum samples from goats and their offspring (precolostral) were collected to evaluate the vertical transmission of T. gondii. Samples from placentas and aborted fetuses were also collected for molecular and histopathological analysis. Results showed that in G1, estrus recurrence occurred in 22.6% (7/31) of the goats, embryonic death in 3.3% (1/31), and abortion in 19.4% (6/31). An increase in anti-T. gondii antibodies was observed in G1 goats at day 150 of pregnancy. T. gondii DNA was detected in 42.8% (3/7) of aborted fetuses and was associated with histopathological lesions caused by this parasite. Moreover, toxoplasmosis in field conditions caused by genotype ToxoDB #1 in pregnant goats resulted in severe reproductive loss in the flock.

"Failed" Matches, Child Removals, and Disrupted Placements: Devastating and Invisible Losses During the Family-Building Journey for LGBTQ Adoptive Parents.

Reproductive loss, which includes miscarriage and nongestational loss, such as adoption loss, is rarely recognized as part of the family-building journey. Such loss tends to be even more invisible among LGBTQ individuals. The current study examines the experiences of 80 LGBTQ individuals who experienced adoption-related losses (i.e., failed adoption matches, child removals, disrupted child placements), with attention to how these losses impacted them and what enabled them to move forward. Participants who pursued private domestic adoption experienced failed matches (i.e., birth parents deciding to parent or choosing another family) both before (n = 21) and/or after (n = 24) a child was born. Participants who pursued public domestic adoption experienced child removals involving reunification with birth parents (n = 14) and other birth relatives (n = 18), as well as disrupted placements initiated by parents (n = 10) and children (n = 7). Failed matches, child removals, and disrupted placements were typically experienced as "crushing" and invisible losses. They were often followed by a period of grieving, and sometimes prompted adjustments to the type of matches or placements participants would consider (e.g., to mitigate the likelihood of future similar losses). Moving forward from adoption losses was facilitated by support from partners and those who experienced similar losses, knowledge or hope regarding the children once in their care, and finally being placed with the child(ren) whom they ultimately legally adopted.

Uncovering Prolonged Grief Reactions Subsequent to a Reproductive Loss: Implications for the Primary Care Provider.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of clinical guidelines for the routine assessment of maladaptive reproductive grief reactions in outpatient primary care and OB-GYN settings in the United States. Because of the disenfranchised nature of perinatal grief reactions, many clinicians may be apt to miss or dismiss a grief reaction that was not identified in the perinatal period. A significant number of those experiencing a reproductive loss exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Reproductive losses are typically screened for and recorded numerically as part of a woman's well-visit intake, yet this process often fails to identify patients emotionally troubled by a prior pregnancy loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A summative content analysis of 164 recent website blogs from female participants who self-reported having experienced a miscarriage or abortion in their lifetime was conducted. The narratives were reviewed for details regarding the time span between the pregnancy loss and the composition of the blog post. The stories were analyzed for subsequent relationship problems and detrimental mental health conditions. Maladaptive reactions were contrasted for those that indicated a greater than 12 months' time-lapse and those who had not. RESULTS: More than a third (39.6%) of the women reported in the narrative that at least one year or more had passed since experiencing the miscarriage or abortion. For those women, the median time span between the loss and composing the blog was 4 years with a range of 47 years. Mental health conditions attributed to the reproductive loss by those who reported longer bereavement times included subsequent relationship problems, substance misuse, depression, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. The percent of reported maladaptive issues was more than double (136.9% vs. 63.6%) for those who reported that a year or more had passed since the loss of the pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Grief reactions following the loss of a pregnancy may be prolonged or delayed for several months which can contribute to adverse biopsychosocial outcomes. Recognition and treatment of maladaptive grief reactions following a pregnancy loss are critical. Screening methods should be enhanced for clinicians in medical office settings to help identify and expedite the appropriate mental health assistance.

Indigenous women's reproductive health in the Arctic zone of Western Siberia: challenges and solutions.

In the Russian Arctic, alarming trends (shortage of nomadic Indigenous women, high reproductive loss, child mortality rates) indicate long-term changes towards demographic decline. This study aimed at comparing some indicators of the reproductive health (childbirth rates, number of pregnancies, pregnancy loss) of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in the exploration of cultural and social factors influencing reproductive behaviour. A multidisciplinary approach draws on methods of medicine, sociology and health economics. It includes data of the women's reproductive health collected from surveys of 879 women (of whom 627 were Indigenous) during expeditions to the settlements and the tundra of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in 2013-2019. In the tundra, 66.7% of registered Indigenous women's pregnancies resulted in childbirth, 7.8% in induced abortions, 25.5% in spontaneous miscarriage. More than three children were delivered by 59.1% of Indigenous women. Most Indigenous families suffered from high pregnancy loss. Marriage between close relatives was 27.0%. Child mortality equalled 24.4%, three times higher than in the population of the settlements and eight times higher than in families immigrating from other regions. The survival of Indigenous peoples significantly depends on women's reproductive health and sufficient medical service that requires targeted policy.

An exploratory study to investigate animal health and reproductive wastage among Australian meat goat producers.

The Australian goat meat industry has grown significantly in the last decade, with the value of exports nearly tripling. However, because carcase weight has remained constant over this time, the drivers of industry growth are price and supply. Animal health and reproduction are key factors contributing to supply and productivity, yet limitations to production management are poorly understood, hampering advice for effective intervention. This exploratory study aims to provide insights into the animal health and reproductive management practices and perceptions among meat goat producers in Australia. To achieve this aim, 20 producers, located in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria, operating under different production systems were interviewed. The results of this study suggest that animal health management could be improved and that producers perceive a lack of relevant and species-specific information available to help them make informed decisions. Reproductive management and records varied greatly across producers interviewed. Kid loss was identified as an issue, with a 28% estimated average (6%-47% range) of losses from kidding until weaning. Producers identified predation, doe nutrition and mismothering as the biggest contributors to kid loss, with the majority of losses occurring within a week of birth. All producers believed management could minimise kid loss. This study highlights the importance of improving reproductive rates among goat enterprises and provides new information on the current practices within the Australian meat goat industry. This may assist the development of appropriate strategies for improving health and reproductive management and delivery of advice to producers.

The Sero-epidemiology of Neospora caninum in Cattle in Northern Tanzania.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan intracellular parasite of animals with a global distribution. Dogs act as definitive hosts, with infection in cattle leading to reproductive losses. Neosporosis can be a major source of income loss for livestock keepers, but its impacts in sub-Saharan Africa are mostly unknown. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and identify risk factors for N. caninum infection in cattle in northern Tanzania, and to link herd-level exposure to reproductive losses. Serum samples from 3,015 cattle were collected from 380 households in 20 villages between February and December 2016. Questionnaire data were collected from 360 of these households. Household coordinates were used to extract satellite derived environmental data from open-access sources. Sera were tested for the presence of N. caninum antibodies using an indirect ELISA. Risk factors for individual-level seropositivity were identified with logistic regression using Bayesian model averaging (BMA). The relationship between herd-level seroprevalence and abortion rates was assessed using negative binomial regression. The seroprevalence of N. caninum exposure after adjustment for diagnostic test performance was 21.5% [95% Credibility Interval (CrI) 17.9-25.4]. The most important predictors of seropositivity selected by BMA were age greater than 18 months [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.17, 95% CrI 1.45-3.26], the local cattle population density (OR = 0.69, 95% CrI 0.41-1.00), household use of restricted grazing (OR = 0.72, 95% CrI 0.25-1.16), and an increasing percentage cover of shrub or forest land in the environment surrounding a household (OR = 1.37, 1.00-2.14). There was a positive relationship between herd-level N. caninum seroprevalence and the reported within-herd abortion rate (Incidence Rate Ratio = 1.03, 95% CrI 1.00-1.06). Our findings suggest N. caninum is likely to be an important cause of abortion in cattle in Tanzania. Management practices, such as restricted grazing, are likely to reduce the risk of infection and suggest contamination of communal grazing areas may be important for transmission. Evidence for a relationship between livestock seropositivity and shrub and forest habitats raises questions about a potential role for wildlife in the epidemiology of N. caninum in Tanzania.

Detección de Chlamydia abortus en pérdidas reproductivas de bovinos en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina / Detection of Chlamydia abortus in bovine reproductive losses in the province of La Pampa, Argentina

Las pérdidas reproductivas constituyen una causa importante de pérdida económica en el ganado bovino, aunque en más del 50% de los casos la etiología es desconocida. Las especies de la familia Chlamydiaceae han sido asociadas con abortos en bovinos y otras espeChlamydia abortus; cies animales, pero no existen datos al respecto en la República Argentina. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la presencia de Chlamydia spp. y de Chlamydia abortus en pérdidas reproductivas de ganado bovino en La Pampa, Argentina. Se estudiaron 251 muestras provenientes de abortos y mortinatos. Se realizó PCR en tiempo real para la detección de la familia Chlamydiaceae y ArrayTube para la identificación de las especies presentes. Se detectó ADN de la familia Chlamydiaceae en 12 muestras (4,78%); el 83,33% (10/12) correspondió a abortos y el 16,66% (2/12) a mortinatos. El análisis por ArrayTube detectó C. abortus en 5 muestras (1,99% del total, 41,67% de las muestras con detección de Chlamydiaceae). Este trabajo presenta la primera confirmación de la presencia de ADN de diversas especies de Chlamydiaceae (incluida C. abortus) en muestras de pérdidas reproductivas de ganado bovino en Argentina. El valor de prevalencia hallado (4,78%) debe ser tomado como un valor basal, debido al tipo de muestras estudiadas. Se halló material genético de Chlamydiaceae que no coincidió con ninguna de las especies conocidas; esto podría deberse a variantes intraespecie o a especies autóctonas aún no descriptas. Es necesario avanzar en el estudio de la infección por estas bacterias en el ganado bovino de Argentina para conocer su dimensión y analizar su impacto económico y zoonótico, y también para planear medidas de prevención y control.

Reproductive losses linked to an infectious etiology in bovine cattle are a major economic concern worldwide. In Argentina, more than 50% of abortion cases have unknown causes. Species belonging to Chlamydiaceae family are frequent etiologic agents of abortion around the world; however, there is yet no information on their prevalence in Argentina. The objective of this work was to identify Chlamydia spp., and particularly C. abortus in reproductive losses from bovine cattle in La Pampa, Argentina. Real time PCR targeting Chlamydiaceae-specific DNA fragments was performed on 251 samples obtained from bovine abortions and stillborns, and ArrayTube was used for species identification on positive samples. Chlamydiaceae DNA was detected in 12 samples of aborted fetuses (4.78%), 83.33% (10/12) accounting for abortions and 16.66% (2/12) for stillborns. C. abortus was detected by ArrayTube in 5 cases (1.99% of all samples, and 41.67% of Chlamydiaceae positive samples). This study shows the first detection of Chlamydiaceae and C. abortus DNA on reproductive losses of bovine cattle in Argentina, and the described prevalence value (4.78%) should be taken as baseline value due to the type of samples analyzed. Detection of genetic material from Chlamydiaceae not matching any of the studied species could be due to intraspecies variants or local species not yet described. Further research on Chlamydia infections in bovine cattle in Argentina is imperative to describe their range, to analyze their economic and zoonotic implications and to make recommendations about prevention and control measures.

Molecular evidence to suggest pigeon-type Chlamydia psittaci in association with an equine foal loss.

Chlamydia psittaci is an important avian pathogen with spillover from infected wild and domesticated birds also posing a risk to human health. We recently reported a case of C. psittaci equine placentitis associated with further spillover to humans. Molecular typing of this case revealed it belonged to the 6BC clade of C. psittaci, a globally distributed highly virulent set of strains, typically linked to infection spillover from parrots. Equine chlamydiosis associated with C. psittaci infection has previously been reported elsewhere in countries where parrots are not endemic, however, raising questions over the identity of infecting C. psittaci strains and the potential infection reservoirs. In this study, we describe the detection and molecular characterization of C. psittaci in a case of equine abortion in southern Queensland. Equine placenta and fresh liver and lung tissue from the necropsied foetus were positive by C. psittaci-specific qPCR. Chlamydia psittaci-specific multilocus sequence typing and ompA genotyping were used to further characterize the detected equine strains and an additional strain obtained from a dove from a different geographic region presenting with psittacosis. Molecular typing of this case revealed that the infecting equine strains were closely related to the C0sittaci detected in dove, all belonging to an evolutionary lineage of C. psittaci strains typically associated with infections of pigeons globally. This finding suggests a broader diversity of C. psittaci strains may be detected in horses and in association with reproductive loss, highlighting the need for an expansion of surveillance studies globally to understand the epidemiology of equine chlamydiosis and the associated zoonotic risk.

[Detection of Chlamydia abortus in bovine reproductive losses in the province of La Pampa, Argentina]. / Detección de Chlamydia abortus en pérdidas reproductivas de bovinos en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina.

Reproductive losses linked to an infectious etiology in bovine cattle are a major economic concern worldwide. In Argentina, more than 50% of abortion cases have unknown causes. Species belonging to Chlamydiaceae family are frequent etiologic agents of abortion around the world; however, there is yet no information on their prevalence in Argentina. The objective of this work was to identify Chlamydia spp., and particularly C. abortus in reproductive losses from bovine cattle in La Pampa, Argentina. Real time PCR targeting Chlamydiaceae-specific DNA fragments was performed on 251 samples obtained from bovine abortions and stillborns, and ArrayTube was used for species identification on positive samples. Chlamydiaceae DNA was detected in 12 samples of aborted fetuses (4.78%), 83.33% (10/12) accounting for abortions and 16.66% (2/12) for stillborns. C. abortus was detected by ArrayTube in 5 cases (1.99% of all samples, and 41.67% of Chlamydiaceae positive samples). This study shows the first detection of Chlamydiaceae and C. abortus DNA on reproductive losses of bovine cattle in Argentina, and the described prevalence value (4.78%) should be taken as baseline value due to the type of samples analyzed. Detection of genetic material from Chlamydiaceae not matching any of the studied species could be due to intraspecies variants or local species not yet described. Further research on Chlamydia infections in bovine cattle in Argentina is imperative to describe their range, to analyze their economic and zoonotic implications and to make recommendations about prevention and control measures.

The Pain and Pride of 'Angel Mothers': Disappointments and Desires Around Reproductive Loss in Romania.

In this article, I highlight how Romanian women make sense of the losses of pregnancies and babies. Based on 15 months of fieldwork in a Transylvanian town, and on interviews with and observations among 'angel mothers' (women who have lost unborn or live-born children) in the Romanian capital Bucharest, I discuss the disappointments and desires that surface when reproduction goes awry. The criticisms of these 'angel mothers' throw into sharp relief wider disappointments with biomedical, political, and religious establishments, and continuing social struggles in postcommunist Romania. Although women's personal predicaments are thus deeply connected to broader structural shortcomings, their coping strategies are highly intimate and nonpolitical. Women focus on creating a spiritual bond between themselves and their lost babies-one that transcends the hardships of earthly life and makes women proud to be the mothers of little angels.

Brucellosis in Endangered Hector's Dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori).

Brucella spp infections of marine mammals are often asymptomatic but have been associated with reproductive losses and deaths. Zoonotic infections originating from marine isolates have also been described. Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori) are an endangered species with a declining population, and the role of infectious disease in population dynamics is not fully understood. In this study, 27 Hector's dolphins found dead around the New Zealand coastline between November 2006 and October 2010 were evaluated for lesions previously associated with cetacean brucellosis. Tissues were examined using histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) techniques. Seven of 27 dolphins (26%) had at least 1 tissue that was positive on PCR for Brucella spp. Lesions consistent with brucellosis were present in 10 of 27 (37%) dolphins, but in 8 of these dolphins Brucella infection could not be demonstrated in lesional tissues. Two dolphins (7%) were diagnosed with active brucellosis: 1 female with placentitis and metritis, and 1 stillborn male fetus. Brucella identified in these 2 dolphins had genetic similarity (99%) to Brucella pinnipedialis. The omp2a gene amplicon from the uterus of the female had 100% homology with ST27 genotype isolates from a human in New Zealand and a bottlenose dolphin of Pacific origin. The remaining 5 PCR-positive dolphins were assessed as having asymptomatic or latent infection. While most Brucella infections identified in this study appeared to be subclinical, the finding of 2 dolphins with reproductive disease due to Brucella infection suggests that this disease has the potential to affect reproductive success in this species.

Chlamydia pecorum: fetal and placental lesions in sporadic caprine abortion.

Chlamydial abortion in small ruminants is usually associated with Chlamydia abortus infection. Although Chlamydia pecorum has been detected in aborted ruminants and epidemiological data suggests that C. pecorum is abortigenic in these species, published descriptions of lesions in fetuses are lacking. This work describes fetoplacental lesions in a caprine abortion with C. pecorum infection, and further supports the abortigenic role of C. pecorum in ruminants. A 16-month-old Boer goat aborted twin fetuses at ~130 days of gestation. Both fetuses (A and B) and the placenta of fetus A were submitted for postmortem examination and diagnostic workup. At autopsy, the fetuses had moderate anasarca, intermuscular edema in the hindquarters (A), and brachygnathia and palatoschisis (B). In the placenta, the cotyledons were covered by yellow fibrinosuppurative exudate that extended into the adjacent intercotyledonary areas. Histologically, there was severe suppurative and necrotizing placentitis with vasculitis (arteriolitis) and thrombosis, multifocal lymphohistiocytic and neutrophilic hepatitis (A), and fibrinosuppurative enteritis in both fetuses. Chlamydia antigen was detected in the placenta by the direct fluorescent antibody test and in fetal intestines by immunohistochemistry. Nested polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of placenta and intestine amplified 400 bp of the Chlamydia 16S rRNA gene that was sequenced and found to be 99% identical to C. pecorum by BLAST analysis. Other known abortigenic infectious agents were ruled out by specific testing. It is concluded that C. pecorum infection is associated with fetoplacental lesions and sporadic abortion in goats.

Aborto por Leptospira en una yegua en Salta, Argentina

La leptospirosis en equinos es generalmente asintomática, aunque existen regiones donde la enfermedad constituye un problema. Aquí se describe un caso de aborto en yegua debido a la infección por este agente. Se efectuó la necropsia completa de un feto a término donde se colectaron muestras para inmunofluorescencia directa (IFD), histopatología y microbiología. Además, se efectuó un estudio serológico de la tropilla y se evaluó seroconversión en la yegua abortada. El feto evidenció hepatomegalia, esplenomegalia e ictericia. Microscópicamente se apreció hepatitis mononuclear con disociación de los hepatocitos, esplenitis aguda y glomérulonefritis. Aunque el microrganismo no pudo ser aislado, la enfermedad se confirmó por la seroconversión observada en la yegua abortada, y debido a la identificación del agente mediante IFD en la impronta renal. Este caso demuestra la presencia del agente localmente y evidencia que la enfermedad puede ser un problema para la producción ecuestre.

Leptospirosis in horses is usually asymptomatic, although there are regions where the disease is a problem. Here, a case of abortion caused by the agent in a mare is described. Full autopsy of a fetus at term was performed; samples for direct immunofluorescence (DIF), histopathology and microbiology were collected. Additionally, a serological study of the herd was conducted, as well as seroconversion in the aborted mare. The fetus evidenced hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and jaundice. Microscopically, mononuclear hepatitis with hepatocyte dissociation, acute splenitis and glomerulonephritis, were appreciated. Although the microorganism couldn't be quite properly, the disease was confirmed by the seroconversion present in the aborted mare. Another factor was the identification of the agent through the renal imprint DIF. This case demonstrates the presence of the agent mentioned locally, and evidences that the disease can represent a problem to the equestrian industry.

Population and Public Health Implications of Child Health and Reproductive Outcomes Among Carrier Couples of Sickle Cell Disorders in Madhya Pradesh, Central India.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is a major genetic and public health challenge in India. Adequate studies on clinico-hematological aspects of disorders are available, however there are few studies on the public health and reproductive outcomes among sickle cell carrier couples. METHODS: A total of 383 couples including their offspring with at least one case of sickle cell disorder referred to a testing center from a tertiary hospital from March 2010 to February 2013 were consecutively studied as matched case controls. RESULTS: Out of 383 couples, 200 were found normal and 183 had different sickle cell disorders. Carrier couples of sickle cell disease had significantly higher fertility (mean number of conceptions, i.e. 3.153 versus 1.480) and higher below 10 year mortality (11% versus 2.7%) and lower surviving offspring (877.4 versus 970.6) than of controls. Neonatal and infant mortality was doubled (34.3 versus 14.7) and three-fold higher (44.1 versus 14.7), respectively in carriers of disease per 1000 live-births compared to controls. Couples of AS/SS genotype showed high neonatal, infant, below 10 year mortality (214.3 each) and low surviving offspring (785.7 per 1000 live-births). CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Sickle cell carrier couples are increasing in both trait and disease offspring (surviving: 56.7% against 43.3% normals). This increased production of carrier and disease offspring leads to increased morbidity, neonatal/infant and childhood mortality, and adversely affects the survival fitness.