Listeriosis in small ruminants: A review

Listeriosis is an important infectious disease of sheep and goats causing encephalitis and abortion in animals. It is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and is commonly seen in cooler climates. The organism can transmit via healthy faeces of animals or through ingestion of contaminated silage majorly. Soil contamination and ingestion of contaminated silage are the primary modes of transmission. Poor quality silage, a pH greater than 5.5 is commonly implicated and accounts for listeriosis often being referred to as “silage disease.” Various histo-pathological lesions and serological tests are used to diagnose the disease. The recommended drugs used for treatment of listeriosis include Oxytetracycline, penicillin-G and Dexamethasone. Although listeriosis is a deadly infectious disease of sheep and goats, it is easily preventable by not feeding spoiled feeds and proper cleanliness on the farm.