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Herrmann B, Aaziz R, Kaden R, Riedel HM, Spörndly-Nees E, Sandelin LL, Laroucau K. SNP-based high-resolution typing of Chlamydia psittaci from humans and wild birds in Sweden: circulation of the Mat116 genotype reveals the transmission mode to humans. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105251. [PMID: 37952689 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of Chlamydia psittaci respiratory tract infections in humans has increased in Sweden in recent years. This study aimed to identify the transmission route by genotyping C. psittaci from infected humans and birds. 42 human C. psittaci samples and 5 samples from C. psittaci-infected birds were collected. Genotyping was performed using ompA sequencing, Multi-locus sequence typing, and/or SNP-based high-resolution melting-PCR. Epidemiological data was also collected, and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Analysis of ompA provided limited resolution, while the SNP-based PCR analysis successfully detected the Mat116 genotype in 3/5 passerine birds and in 26/29 human cases, indicating a high prevalence of this genotype in the human population. These cases were associated with contact with wild birds, mainly through bird feeding during winter or other outdoor exposure. Human cases caused by other genotypes (psittacine and pigeon) were less common and were linked to exposure to caged birds or pigeons. The SNP-genotype Mat116 is rare, but predominated in this study. The use of SNP-based PCR provided a better understanding of the C. psittaci transmission from birds to humans compared to ompA analysis. In Sweden, human psittacosis appears mainly to be transmitted from garden birds during bird feeding in the winter season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Herrmann
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Rachid Aaziz
- Anses, Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, Paris-Est University, F-94706 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rene Kaden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Clinical Genomics Uppsala, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hilde M Riedel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ellinor Spörndly-Nees
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lisa Labbé Sandelin
- Department of Communicable Diseases and Disease Control, Region Kalmar County, SE- 391 26 Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Anses, Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, Paris-Est University, F-94706 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Kasimov V, White RT, Foxwell J, Jenkins C, Gedye K, Pannekoek Y, Jelocnik M. Whole-genome sequencing of Chlamydia psittaci from Australasian avian hosts: A genomics approach to a pathogen that still ruffles feathers. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen001072. [PMID: 37486739 PMCID: PMC10438822 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a globally distributed veterinary pathogen with zoonotic potential. Although C. psittaci infections have been reported in various hosts, isolation and culture of Chlamydia is challenging, hampering efforts to produce contemporary global C. psittaci genomes. This is particularly evident in the lack of avian C. psittaci genomes from Australia and New Zealand. In this study, we used culture-independent probe-based whole-genome sequencing to expand the global C. psittaci genome catalogue. Here, we provide new C. psittaci genomes from two pigeons, six psittacines, and novel hosts such as the Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis) and sooty shearwater (Ardenna grisea) from Australia and New Zealand. We also evaluated C. psittaci genetic diversity using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and major outer membrane protein (ompA) genotyping on additional C. psittaci-positive samples from various captive avian hosts and field isolates from Australasia. We showed that the first C. psittaci genomes sequenced from New Zealand parrots and pigeons belong to the clonal sequence type (ST)24 and diverse 'pigeon-type' ST27 clade, respectively. Australian parrot-derived strains also clustered in the ST24 group, whereas the novel ST332 strain from the Australian bustard clustered in a genetically diverse clade of strains from a fulmar, parrot, and livestock. MLST and ompA genotyping revealed ST24/ompA genotype A in wild and captive parrots and a sooty shearwater, whilst 'pigeon-types' (ST27/35 and ompA genotypes B/E) were found in pigeons and other atypical hosts, such as captive parrots, a little blue penguin/Kororā (Eudyptula minor) and a zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis) from Australia and New Zealand. This study provides new insights into the global phylogenomic diversity of C. psittaci and further demonstrates the multi-host generalist capacity of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilli Kasimov
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia
| | - Rhys T. White
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Foxwell
- Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, 66 Ward Street, Upper Hutt 5018, New Zealand
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, New South Wales 2568, Australia
| | - Kristene Gedye
- Massey University, School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Pannekoek
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam 1105, Netherlands
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia
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Kasimov V, Dong Y, Shao R, Brunton A, Anstey SI, Hall C, Chalmers G, Conroy G, Booth R, Timms P, Jelocnik M. Emerging and well-characterized chlamydial infections detected in a wide range of wild Australian birds. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3154-e3170. [PMID: 35041298 PMCID: PMC9786873 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Birds can act as successful long-distance vectors and reservoirs for numerous zoonotic bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens, which can be a concern given the interconnectedness of animal, human and environmental health. Examples of such avian pathogens are members of the genus Chlamydia. Presently, there is a lack of research investigating chlamydial infections in Australian wild and captive birds and the subsequent risks to humans and other animals. In our current study, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of chlamydial organisms infecting wild birds from Queensland and the rate of co-infections with beak and feather disease virus (BFDV). We screened 1114 samples collected from 564 different birds from 16 orders admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital from May 2019 to February 2021 for Chlamydia and BFDV. Utilizing species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, we revealed an overall Chlamydiaceae prevalence of 29.26% (165/564; 95% confidence interval (CI) 25.65-33.14), including 3.19% (18/564; 95% CI 2.03-4.99%) prevalence of the zoonotic Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydiaceae co-infection with BFDV was detected in 9.75% (55/564; 95% CI 7.57-12.48%) of the birds. Molecular characterization of the chlamydial 16S rRNA and ompA genes identified C. psittaci, in addition to novel and other genetically diverse Chlamydia species: avian Chlamydia abortus, Ca. Chlamydia ibidis and Chlamydia pneumoniae, all detected for the first time in Australia within a novel avian host range (crows, figbirds, herons, kookaburras, lapwings and shearwaters). This study shows that C. psittaci and other emerging Chlamydia species are prevalent in a wider range of avian hosts than previously anticipated, potentially increasing the risk of spill-over to Australian wildlife, livestock and humans. Going forward, we need to further characterize C. psittaci and other emerging Chlamydia species to determine their exact genetic identity, potential reservoirs, and factors influencing infection spill-over.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilli Kasimov
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Yalun Dong
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Renfu Shao
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Aaron Brunton
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Susan I. Anstey
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Clancy Hall
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Gareth Chalmers
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Gabriel Conroy
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | | | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
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A Review of Chlamydial Infections in Wild Birds. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080948. [PMID: 34451412 PMCID: PMC8398480 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chlamydia are a globally distributed genus of bacteria that can infect and cause disease in a range of hosts. Birds are the primary host for multiple chlamydial species. The most well-known of these is Chlamydia psittaci, a zoonotic bacterium that has been identified in a range of wild and domesticated birds. Wild birds are often proposed as a reservoir of Chlamydia psittaci and potentially other chlamydial species. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge of chlamydial infections in wild avian populations. We focus on C. psittaci but also consider other Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-related bacteria that have been identified in wild birds. We summarise the diversity, host range, and clinical signs of infection in wild birds and consider the potential implications of these infections for zoonotic transmission and avian conservation. Chlamydial bacteria have been found in more than 70 species of wild birds, with the greatest chlamydial diversity identified in Europe. The Corvidae and Accipitridae families are emerging as significant chlamydial hosts, in addition to established wild hosts such as the Columbidae. Clarifying the effects of these bacteria on avian host fitness and the zoonotic potential of emerging Chlamydiales will help us to understand the implications of these infections for avian and human health.
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Vorimore F, Aaziz R, de Barbeyrac B, Peuchant O, Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Herrmann B, Schnee C, Laroucau K. A New SNP-Based Genotyping Method for C. psittaci: Application to Field Samples for Quick Identification. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030625. [PMID: 33803059 PMCID: PMC8002925 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) psittaci is the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis. In this study, we extracted single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the whole genome sequences of 55 C. psittaci strains and identified eight major lineages, most of which are host-related. A combined PCR/high-resolution melting (HRM) assay was developed to screen for eight phylogenetically informative SNPs related to the identified C. psittaci lineages. The PCR-HRM method was validated on 11 available reference strains and with a set of 118 field isolates. Overall, PCR-HRM clustering was consistent with previous genotyping data obtained by ompA and/or MLST analysis. The method was then applied to 28 C. psittaci-positive samples from animal or human cases. As expected, PCR-HRM typing results from human samples identified genotypes linked to ducks and pigeons, a common source of human exposure, but also to the poorly described Mat116-like genotype. The new genotyping method does not require time-consuming sequencing and allows a quick identification of the source of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Vorimore
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94706 Paris, France; (F.V.); (R.A.)
| | - Rachid Aaziz
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94706 Paris, France; (F.V.); (R.A.)
| | - Bertille de Barbeyrac
- Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections in Humans, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (B.d.B.); (O.P.)
| | - Olivia Peuchant
- Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections in Humans, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (B.d.B.); (O.P.)
| | | | - Björn Herrmann
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University Hospital, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Section of Clinical Bacteriology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94706 Paris, France; (F.V.); (R.A.)
- Correspondence:
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Svanberg I. The Importance of Animal and Marine Fat in the Faroese Cuisine: The Past, Present, and Future of Local Food Knowledge in an Island Society. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.599476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since ecological and climatic conditions limit the possibilities for cereal production, the old-established Faroese traditional food system is principally based on the utilization of animal protein and fat. The diet of the islanders has thus been adapted to the specific environmental circumstances of the area. Historically, fat has provided a high energy and nutritious food source for the hard-working sheep farmers and fishermen. Fat procured from both land and marine animals has formed a vital part of the local food culture. Apart from the insubstantial amount of butter produced in the Faroe Islands, tallow from sheep, fish fat and liver from codfishes, and the blubber from the long-finned pilot whale, has been widely utilized within the households. During the last century, Faroese diet has changed due to external factors such as closer integration into the world economy, modernization, and improved household economy. Although butter, cheese and other dairy products as well as margarine and vegetable oil are nowadays readily available in the convenience shops and supermarkets, tallow, and whale blubber continue to be part and parcel of many of the islanders' cuisine. Today, however, such products are not primarily consumed for their energy content. Instead, it can be seen as a contemporary and regional expression of appraisal toward Faroese cuisine. Appreciating and consuming local food has become an important part of expressing Faroese cultural identity. The traditional diet therefore links the islanders with their history. However, the preparation of Faroese food products is highly dependent on traditional knowledge of how to extract different types of animal fat and process it into locally made dishes. Thus, the long-term survival of traditional Faroese gastronomy is contingent on the maintenance and continuation of this knowledge.
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