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Zhang R, Fu H, Luo C, Huang Z, Pei R, Di Y, Zhu C, Peng J, Hu H, Chen S, Chen J, Chen L, Xu M, Yang X, Yang R. Chlamydia psittaci detected at a live poultry wholesale market in central China. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:585. [PMID: 38867171 PMCID: PMC11170795 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09478-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the presence of Chlamydia psittaci in poultry and the environment in live poultry wholesale markets in Changsha during 2021-2022 and conducted a phylogenetic analysis to understand its distribution in this market. METHODS In total, 483 samples were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and 17 C. psittaci-positive samples using high-throughput sequencing, BLAST similarity, and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Twenty-two out of 483 poultry and environmental samples were positive for C. psittaci (overall positivity rate: 4.55%) with no difference in positivity rates over 12 months. Chlamydia psittaci was detected at 11 sampling points (overall positivity rate: 27.5%), including chicken, duck, and pigeon/chicken/duck/goose shops, with pigeon shops having the highest positivity rate (46.67%). The highest positivity rates were found in sewage (12.5%), poultry fecal (7.43%), cage swab (6.59%), avian pharyngeal/cloacal swab (3.33%), and air (2.29%) samples. The ompA sequences were identified in two strains of C. psittaci, which were determined to bear genotype B using phylogenetic analysis. Thus, during monitoring, C. psittaci genotype B was detected in the poultry and environmental samples from the poultry wholesale market in Changsha. CONCLUSIONS To address the potential zoonotic threat, C. psittaci monitoring programs in live poultry markets should be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusheng Zhang
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Huiyuan Fu
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Can Luo
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Ruiqing Pei
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Yu Di
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Caiying Zhu
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Jiayi Peng
- Public Health College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Huiqi Hu
- Public Health College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Shan Chen
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Jingfang Chen
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Lamei Chen
- Changsha Kaifu Disease Prevention and Control Center, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Mingzhong Xu
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Xuewen Yang
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Rengui Yang
- Changsha Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
- Changsha Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Changsha Eighth Hospital), Changsha, Hunan, 410125, China.
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Hashemian SMM, Madani SA, Allymehr M, Talebi A. A molecular survey of Chlamydia spp. infection in commercial poultry and detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in a commercial turkey flock in Iran. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2168-2175. [PMID: 37602896 PMCID: PMC10508571 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydiaceae are a group of gram-negative intracellular bacteria which can infect a wide variety of hosts. Some chlamydial agents are capable of crossing the host barrier and though they are potentially a risk to very different species. They also pose a zoonotic risk for human and different chlamydial agents are linked to several medical maladies. OBJECTIVES In this study, the presence of chlamydial agents in different commercial poultry flocks in Iran was investigated. METHODS Swab and tissue samples were collected from 435 birds in 24 different commercial poultry flocks. These samples were examined using a Chlamydiaceae-specific real-time PCR assay targeting 23S rRNA gene. Positive samples then were subjected to intergenic spacer rRNA (IGS) gene and major outer membrane protein gene (ompA) PCRs. Finally, positive PCR products were sequenced and analysed. RESULTS Only one flock of commercial turkey became positive. Partial DNA sequencing of IGS gene revealed that all positive samples from the infected flock were Chlamydia pneumoniae and were identical to previously studied isolates from koala (LPCoLN) and frog (DC9). Further investigations showed slight dissimilarity in ompA gene of C. pneumoniae from different hosts. The detected turkey isolates were located in a different clade of phylogenetic tree, close to Western barred bandicoot and koala isolates. CONCLUSION C. pneumoniae has passed the cross-species barrier in the past and therefor it could potentially be zoonotic. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first report of C. pneumoniae infection in commercial turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seyed Ahmad Madani
- Department of Animal and Poultry Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of TehranTehranIran
| | - Manoochehr Allymehr
- Department of Poultry Health and Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of UrmiaUrmiaIran
| | - Alireza Talebi
- Department of Poultry Health and Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of UrmiaUrmiaIran
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Zhu Z, Wang X, Zhao J, Xie Z, Yang C, Li L, Liu Y. Clinical Characteristics of Six Patients with Chlamydia psittaci Infection Diagnosed by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing: A Case Series. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:869-878. [PMID: 36820082 PMCID: PMC9938668 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s393195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of psittacosis infection has gradually increased in recent years. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can be used to comprehensively identify the total DNA and RNA content of the microbiome, as well as identify both known and unexpected pathogens within 24 hours. We diagnosed and treated six patients with psittacosis infection using mNGS, two of whom developed severe disease and most of whom presented with pulmonary symptoms. One of the young female patients also presented with irregular vaginal bleeding and myocarditis. Patients with underlying gastric disorders first showed gastrointestinal symptoms, which is a rare manifestation in patients with psittacosis. Older patients with underlying disease usually showed more severe symptoms. However, rare complications can also occur in immunocompetent young people and develop into severe disease. All patients showed significant congestion at bronchial lumen lesions, which may be associated with a severe inflammatory response to mucosal Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) infection. Overall, mNGS is a rapid and effective tool for the clinical diagnosis of psittacosis caused by C. psittaci, and early diagnosis and treatment can prevent psittacosis from developing into a serious illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghua Zhu
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinhong Zhao
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zuozhou Xie
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingyi Li
- Department of Medical, Hangzhou Matridx Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Lingyi Li, Department of Medical, Hangzhou Matridx Biotechnology Co., Ltd, No. 2073 Jinchang Road, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 311100, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613888173009, Email
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Respiration, The Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, People’s Republic of China,Yi Liu, Department of Respiration, the Second People’s Hospital of Kunming, No. 871 Longquan Road, Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, 650051, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613648898773, Email
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Turin L, Surini S, Wheelhouse N, Rocchi MS. Recent advances and public health implications for environmental exposure to Chlamydia abortus: from enzootic to zoonotic disease. Vet Res 2022; 53:37. [PMID: 35642008 PMCID: PMC9152823 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental transmission of Chlamydia abortus as a result of enzootic disease or disease outbreaks and the threats posed by this pathogen has been previously reported, however a state-of-the-science review of these reports and the identification of future research priorities in this area is still lacking. This study provides an overview of the current knowledge of host–pathogen–environment interactions, addressing public health risks and identifying critical questions and research gaps. We performed a systematic PubMed and Web of Science search for publications related to Chlamydia abortus in the past four decades, and we reviewed and combined the evidence critically discussing and commenting the results. A total of 182 studies, 5 chapters of specific books and the “OIE terrestrial manual” were included in this review. There were substantial variations between the studies in topic addressed and experimental design. Overall, the literature largely supports the crucial role played by environmental exposure on the acquisition of zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia abortus. We also identify the paucity of information related to interspecies transmission and pathogen adaptation in relation to environmental dissemination and zoonotic risk. This analysis further highlights the need for additional research given that environmental transmission represents a serious risk not only to susceptible patients (pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals), but also for other species including wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Turin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Surini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nick Wheelhouse
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Court, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Mara Silvia Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, Bush Loan, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
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Aaziz R, Laroucau K, Gobbo F, Salvatore D, Schnee C, Terregino C, Lupini C, Di Francesco A. Occurrence of Chlamydiae in Corvids in Northeast Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101226. [PMID: 35625072 PMCID: PMC9137748 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The continuous improvement of next-generation sequencing techniques has led to an expansion of the number of Chlamydia species, as well as their host range. Recent studies performed on wild birds have detected Chlamydia strains with characteristics intermediate between Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus. In this study, 12/108 corvids tested positive for Chlamydia by real-time PCR. Molecular characterisation at the species level was possible for eight samples, with one positive for C. psittaci and seven for C. abortus. Considering the well-known zoonotic role of C. psittaci and that a potential zoonotic role of avian C. abortus strains cannot be excluded, people who may have professional or other contact with wild birds should take appropriate preventive measures. Abstract Chlamydiaceae occurrence has been largely evaluated in wildlife, showing that wild birds are efficient reservoirs for avian chlamydiosis. In this study, DNA extracted from cloacal swabs of 108 corvids from Northeast Italy was screened for Chlamydiaceae by 23S real-time (rt)PCR. The positive samples were characterised by specific rtPCRs for Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia abortus, Chlamydia gallinacea, Chlamydia avium, Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia suis. Cloacal shedding of Chlamydiaceae was detected in 12 out of 108 (11.1%, 5.9%–18.6% 95% CI) corvids sampled. Molecular characterisation at the species level was possible in 8/12 samples, showing C. psittaci positivity in only one sample from a hooded crow and C. abortus positivity in seven samples, two from Eurasian magpies and five from hooded crows. Genotyping of the C. psittaci-positive sample was undertaken via PCR/high-resolution melting, clustering it in group III_pigeon, corresponding to the B genotype based on former ompA analysis. For C. abortus genotyping, multilocus sequence typing was successfully performed on the two samples with high DNA load from Eurasian magpies, highlighting 100% identity with the recently reported Polish avian C. abortus genotype 1V strain 15-58d44. To confirm the intermediate characteristics between C. psittaci and C. abortus, both samples, as well as two samples from hooded crows, showed the chlamydial plasmid inherent in most C. psittaci and avian C. abortus, but not in ruminant C. abortus strains. The plasmid sequences were highly similar (≥99%) to those of the Polish avian C. abortus genotype 1V strain 15-58d44. To our knowledge, this is the first report of avian C. abortus strains in Italy, specifically genotype 1V, confirming that they are actively circulating in corvids in the Italian region tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Aaziz
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (R.A.); (K.L.)
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (R.A.); (K.L.)
| | - Federica Gobbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (F.G.); (C.T.)
| | - Daniela Salvatore
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (D.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), D-07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (F.G.); (C.T.)
| | - Caterina Lupini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (D.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Antonietta Di Francesco
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (D.S.); (C.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Ruiz-Laiton A, Molano-Ayala N, García-Castiblanco S, Puentes-Orozco AM, Falla AC, Camargo M, Roa L, Rodríguez-López A, Patarroyo MA, Avendaño C. The prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in confiscated Psittacidae in Colombia. Prev Vet Med 2022; 200:105591. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Stalder S, Marti H, Borel N, Vogler BR, Pesch T, Prähauser B, Wencel P, Laroucau K, Albini S. Falcons From the United Arab Emirates Infected With Chlamydia psittaci/ C abortus Intermediates Specified as Chlamydia buteonis by Polymerase Chain Reaction. J Avian Med Surg 2021; 35:333-340. [PMID: 34677032 DOI: 10.1647/20-00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiaceae are obligate intracellular bacteria with a broad host range. Several studies have found chlamydial species that are genetically intermediate between Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus in various avian species. One of these intermediate Chlamydia species, found in a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), was recently classified as a new species Chlamydia buteonis. This newly described Chlamydia species has, so far, only been reported in hawks exhibiting clinical signs of conjunctivitis, dyspnea, and diarrhea. In the present study, fecal samples of 5 gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus), 3 gyr/peregrine falcon hybrids (Falco rusticolus × Falco peregrinus), and 15 falcons of unknown species presented to falcon clinics on the Arabian Peninsula were shipped to the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland), for examination for the presence of Chlamydiaceae. A step-wise diagnostic approach was performed to identify the chlamydial species involved. Chlamydiaceae were detected in 21/23 falcons by a family-specific real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Further identification with a 23S ribosomal RNA-based microarray assay and 16S conventional PCR and sequencing yielded inconclusive results, indicating the presence of an intermediate Chlamydia species. Because none of the falcons tested positive for Chlamydia psittaci by specific qPCR, all 23 samples were subjected to a Chlamydia buteonis-specific qPCR, which was positive in 16/23 samples. Detailed information regarding clinical history was available for 8 falcons admitted to a falcon clinic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Six of those birds that were presented to the clinic because of loss of performance and poor general condition, including vomiting and diarrhea, were positive for C buteonis. In 2 birds without clinical disease signs admitted for a routine health examination, 1 was positive for C buteonis, and 1 was negative. It is yet unknown whether Chlamydia buteonis causes disease in birds, but the findings in this study indicate that Chlamydia buteonis may be an infectious pathogen in falcon species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Stalder
- National Reference Center for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland,
| | - Hanna Marti
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Renate Vogler
- National Reference Center for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Pesch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Prähauser
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wencel
- Al Aseefa Falcon Hospital, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, University Paris-Est, Anses, 94706 Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Sarah Albini
- National Reference Center for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Seibert BA, Keel MK, Kelly TR, Nilsen RA, Ciembor P, Pesti D, Gregory CR, Ritchie BW, Hawkins MG. Chlamydia buteonis in birds of prey presented to California wildlife rehabilitation facilities. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258500. [PMID: 34644359 PMCID: PMC8513822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydial infections, caused by a group of obligate, intracellular, gram-negative bacteria, have health implications for animals and humans. Due to their highly infectious nature and zoonotic potential, staff at wildlife rehabilitation centers should be educated on the clinical manifestations, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Chlamydia spp. infections in raptors. The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of chlamydial DNA shedding and anti-chlamydial antibodies in raptors admitted to five wildlife rehabilitation centers in California over a one-year period. Chlamydial prevalence was estimated in raptors for each center and potential risk factors associated with infection were evaluated, including location, species, season, and age class. Plasma samples and conjunctiva/choana/cloaca swabs were collected for serology and qPCR from a subset of 263 birds of prey, representing 18 species. Serologic assays identified both anti-C. buteonis IgM and anti-chlamydial IgY antibodies. Chlamydial DNA and anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in 4.18% (11/263) and 3.14% (6/191) of patients, respectively. Chamydial DNA was identified in raptors from the families Accipitridae and Strigidae while anti-C.buteonis IgM was identified in birds identified in Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae, and Cathartidae. Two of the chlamydial DNA positive birds (one Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) and one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)) were necropsied, and tissues were collected for culture. Sequencing of the cultured elementary bodies revealed a chlamydial DNA sequence with 99.97% average nucleotide identity to the recently described Chlamydia buteonis. Spatial clusters of seropositive raptors and raptors positive for chlamydial DNA were detected in northern California. Infections were most prevalent during the winter season. Furthermore, while the proportion of raptors testing positive for chlamydial DNA was similar across age classes, seroprevalence was highest in adults. This study questions the current knowledge on C. buteonis host range and highlights the importance of further studies to evaluate the diversity and epidemiology of Chlamydia spp. infecting raptor populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A. Seibert
- Department of Avian Science, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Keel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Terra R. Kelly
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Roger A. Nilsen
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Paula Ciembor
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Denise Pesti
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Christopher R. Gregory
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Branson W. Ritchie
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michelle G. Hawkins
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sahu R, Vishnuraj MR, Srinivas C, Dadimi B, Megha GK, Pollumahanti N, Malik SS, Vaithiyanathan S, Rawool DB, Barbuddhe SB. Development and comparative evaluation of droplet digital PCR and quantitative PCR for the detection and quantification of Chlamydia psittaci. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 190:106318. [PMID: 34592374 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen mainly transmitted by psittacine birds and poultry. The low shedding rate of the pathogen in the apparently healthy birds and human clinical cases may result in false-negative results. In the present study, a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed and compared with optimized quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the detection of C. psittaci from the clinical samples. The ddPCR assay was found to be comparatively more sensitive than the qPCR, wherein the limit of detection (LOD) of ddPCR was upto 2.4 copies of the DNA template, whereas, the qPCR could detect upto 38 copies of the DNA template in the reaction mixture. Overall, the developed ddPCR assay was found to be robust, specific, and could reliably quantify up to 17.8 copies of the DNA template. Finally, the applicability of the developed ddPCR assay was tested by screening the field samples (n = 124), comprising lung tissues from dead poultry and feral birds; pooled faecal samples from the free-living birds, commercial and backyard poultry farms; pharyngeal and cloacal swabs collected from the duck farms. Of these, a total of seven samples were found to be positive by the ddPCR, whereas, three samples could be detected as positive using the qPCR. The developed ddPCR could serve as a reliable screening tool, particularly in those clinical samples wherein the shedding of C. psittaci is substantially very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhakrishna Sahu
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad 500092, India; Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - M R Vishnuraj
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad 500092, India
| | - Ch Srinivas
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad 500092, India
| | - Bhargavi Dadimi
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - G K Megha
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | | | - Satyaveer S Malik
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - S Vaithiyanathan
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad 500092, India
| | - Deepak B Rawool
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Chengicherla, Hyderabad 500092, India
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Ravichandran K, Anbazhagan S, Karthik K, Angappan M, Dhayananth B. A comprehensive review on avian chlamydiosis: a neglected zoonotic disease. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:414. [PMID: 34312716 PMCID: PMC8313243 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02859-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Avian chlamydiosis is one of the important neglected diseases with critical zoonotic potential. Chlamydia psittaci, the causative agent, affects most categories of birds, livestock, companion animals, and humans. It has many obscured characters and epidemiological dimensions, which makes it unique among other bacterial agents. Recent reports on transmission from equine to humans alarmed the public health authorities, and it necessitates the importance of routine screening of this infectious disease. High prevalence of spill-over infection in equines was associated with reproductive losses. Newer avian chlamydial species are being reported in the recent years. It is a potential biological warfare agent and the disease is an occupational hazard mainly to custom officers handling exotic birds. Prevalence of the disease in wild birds, pet birds, and poultry causes economic losses to the poultry industry and the pet bird trade. Interestingly, there are speculations on the ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ bird trade that may be the global source of some of the most virulent strains of this pathogen. The mortality rate generally ranges from 5 to 40% in untreated cases, but it can sometimes be higher in co-infection. The intracellular lifestyle of this pathogen makes the diagnosis more complicated and there is also lack of accurate diagnostics. Resistance to antibiotics is reported only in some pathogens of the Chlamydiaceae family, but routine screening may assess the actual situation in all pathogens. Due to the diverse nature of the pathogen, the organism necessitates the One Health partnerships to have complete understanding. The present review focuses on the zoonotic aspects of avian chlamydiosis with its new insights into the pathogenesis, transmission, treatment, prevention, and control strategies. The review also briefs on the basic understandings and complex epidemiology of avian chlamydiosis, highlighting the need for research on emerging one health perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthikeyan Ravichandran
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India.
| | - Subbaiyan Anbazhagan
- Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Kumaragurubaran Karthik
- Central University Laboratory, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - Madesh Angappan
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Balusamy Dhayananth
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
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11
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Occurrence of Chlamydiaceae in Raptors and Crows in Switzerland. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090724. [PMID: 32887370 PMCID: PMC7558692 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the family Chlamydiaceae are globally disseminated and able to infect many bird species. So far, 11 species of Chlamydia have been detected in wild birds, and several studies found chlamydial strains classified as genetically intermediate between Chlamydia (C.) psittaci and C.abortus. Recently, a group of these intermediate strains was shown to form a separate species, i.e., C.buteonis. In the present study, 1128 samples from 341 raptors of 16 bird species and 253 corvids representing six species were examined using a stepwise diagnostic approach. Chlamydiaceae DNA was detected in 23.7% of the corvids and 5.9% of the raptors. In corvids, the most frequently detected Chlamydia species was C.psittaci of outer membrane protein A (ompA) genotype 1V, which is known to have a host preference for corvids. The most frequently detected ompA genotype in raptors was M56. Furthermore, one of the raptors harbored C.psittaci 1V, and two others carried genotype A. C.buteonis was not detected in the bird population investigated, so it remains unknown whether this species occurs in Switzerland. The infection rate of Chlamydiaceae in corvids was high compared to rates reported in other wild bird species, but neither Chlamydiaceae-positive corvids nor raptors showed overt signs of disease. Since the Chlamydiaceae of both, raptors and crows were identified as C.psittaci and all C.psittaci genotypes are considered to be zoonotic, it can be suggested that raptors and crows pose a potential hazard to the health of their handlers.
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12
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Golestani N, Khoshkhoo PH, Hosseini H, Azad GA. Detection and identification of Chlamydia spp. from pigeons in Iran by nested PCR and sequencing. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2020; 12:331-337. [PMID: 32994905 PMCID: PMC7502139 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v12i4.3937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Chlamydia psittaci, an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative zoonotic pathogen, has eight serovars and nine genotypes isolated from avian species with higher frequency in parrots and pigeons. The aim of this study was to characterize Chlamydia spp. using nested PCR and sequencing. Materials and Methods A total of 270 pharyngeal swab samples collected randomly from asymptomatic pigeons of 30 pigeon aviaries in Tehran province. DNA was extracted with specific kit and amplified by specific primers in the first PCR and outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in the second PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic tree analyzed based on the ompA gene. Results Records showed that 16 of 30 (53%) pigeon aviaries were positive for Chlamydia spp. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 15 of 16 (93.7%) positive samples, belonged to C. psittaci genotype B whereas the other sample belonged to C. avium. C. psittaci detected in 50% of pigeon aviaries that is high rate in Tehran province. Conclusion As C. psittaci is a zoonosis and life threaten pathogen for human being, these results indicate the significance of it detection in asymptomatic pigeons. Also, this is the first report of Chlamydia avium presence in Iranian pigeons which its zoonotic potential is still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Golestani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Payam Haghighi Khoshkhoo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseini
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Gita Akbari Azad
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
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13
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Stokes HS, Martens JM, Jelocnik M, Walder K, Segal Y, Berg ML, Bennett ATD. Chlamydial diversity and predictors of infection in a wild Australian parrot, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:487-498. [PMID: 32603529 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Chlamydia genus are known to cause disease in both humans and animals. A variety of other species in the order Chlamydiales are increasingly being discovered and emerging as potential pathogens, yet there are scarce data on the diversity, prevalence and impacts of these pathogens in wild birds. To address this gap, we investigated which Chlamydiales species are present in a wild population of a common Australian parrot, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans). We collected cloacal swabs and serum from 136 individuals in south-eastern Australia, over two years, and tested several predictors of prevalence: age, sex, season and breeding status. We used multiple PCR assays to determine bacterial prevalence in cloacal swabs and a solid-phase ELISA to determine seroprevalence. We found Chlamydiales PCR prevalence of 27.7% (95% CI 20.2, 36.2) and identified at least two families (Chlamydiaceae and Parachlamydiaceae). Regarding known chlamydial avian pathogens, we found C. psittaci at 6.2% (95% CI 2.7, 11.8) and C. gallinacea at 4.6% (95% CI 1.7, 9.8) prevalence. We also identified at least two potentially novel Chlamydiales species, of unknown pathogenicity. Sex and breeding status predicted Chlamydiales PCR prevalence, with females more likely to be infected than males, and non-breeding birds more likely to be infected than breeding birds. Seroprevalence was 16% (95% CI 8.8, 25.9). Season and breeding status were strong predictors of seroprevalence, with highest seroprevalence in autumn and in non-breeding birds. Our results reveal a diversity of Chlamydiales species in this abundant wild host, and indicate that host-specific and temporal factors are associated with infection risk. Our findings suggest that wild parrots are a reservoir of both known and novel Chlamydiales lineages, of zoonotic and pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena S Stokes
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Johanne M Martens
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Yonatan Segal
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Attwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Mathew L Berg
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
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14
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Prevalence Rate and Phylogenetic Analysis of Chlamydia psittaci in Pigeon and House Sparrow Specimens and the Potential Human Infection Risk in Chahrmahal-va-Bakhtiari, Iran. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/archcid.67565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
: Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) is an important zoonotic pathogen in birds and has been reported from urban pigeons (Columba livia) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) worldwide. Some public areas in Iran, such as parks, have a high density of these birds; thus, they may be regarded as a zoonotic threat to humans. The current study aimed at performing the prevalence assessment as well as the phylogenetic analysis of C. psittaci in cloacal swab samples from these birds. To this aim, a total of 75 specimens of urban pigeon, 75 specimens of the house sparrow, and 30 pharyngeal swabs of humans who work in pet-markets were collected from six different zones of Chaharmal-va-Bakhtiari, a Southwestern Province of Iran. The prevalence of C. psittaci was 25.3% (19 out of 75), 18.6% (14 out of 75), and 10% (3 out of 30) among the pigeon, sparrow and the human samples, respectively. The prevalence of C. psittaci was considerably high in urban pigeons. To determine the genotype of C. psittaci, OmpA gene fragments in positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from the pigeon and sparrow positive samples belonged to the genotypes B and A, while genotyping was unsuccessful for the positive human samples. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of C. psittaci in pigeons and sparrows is high in Chahrmahal-va-Bakhtiari posing as a potential infection risk to susceptible individuals in public places and parks. Therefore, it is essential to take effective measures for the implementation of proper control programs to prevent the possible infection of people with C. psittaci.
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15
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Wang C, Li L, Xie Y, Tan Y, Wen Y, Chen Q, Yu J, Song Y, Wu Y. Isolation and Characterization of Avian Chlamydia psittaci from Symptomatic Pet Birds in Southern Hunan, China. Avian Dis 2020; 63:31-37. [PMID: 31251517 DOI: 10.1637/11932-071718-reg.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple hosts, especially avian, and can be transmitted to humans, causing psittacosis or ornithosis. No effective vaccines have been developed. We therefore isolate and genotype avian C. psittaci strains and investigate the pathogenicity of isolates in the southern Hunan area of China. Among 200 suspicious avian specimens, eight were positive for the C. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene (4%), and seven were successfully cultured in human epithelial type 2 and Vero cells (87.5%). Genotyping of the ompA gene of the eight PCR-positive samples revealed that all of the cultured strains, except for the E9 strain, belonged to genotype A. Pathologic changes in the mice infected with C. psittaci via intranasal inoculation showed severe pneumonia and intense infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung in a dose-dependent manner, and immunohistochemical staining displayed different levels of infiltration of C. psittaci inclusions in the heart, liver, spleen, kidney, and, especially, lung. Our findings demonstrate that genotype A dominates all C. psittaci genotypes in the southern Hunan area and that the C. psittaci avian isolates in this region possess dose-dependent pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yafeng Xie
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yuan Tan
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yating Wen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China.,Department of Experimental Zoology, Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Ying Song
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yimou Wu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Medical College, University of South China, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control and Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang 421001, China,
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16
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Detection of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia ibidis in the Endangered Crested Ibis ( Nipponia nippon). Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e1. [PMID: 31910921 PMCID: PMC7019082 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268819002231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia spp. are a group of obligate intracellular pathogens causing a number of diseases in animals and humans. Avian chlamydiosis (AC), caused by Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) as well as new emerging C. avium, C. gallinacea and C. ibidis, have been described in nearly 500 avian species worldwidely. The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is a world endangered avian species with limited population and vulnerable for various infections. To get a better understanding of the prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in the endangered Crested Ibis, faecal samples were collected and analysed. The results confirmed that 20.20% (20/99) of the faecal samples were positive for Chlamydiaceae and were identified as C. ibidis with co-existence of C. psittaci in one of the 20 positive samples. In addition, ompA sequence of C. psittaci obtained in this study was classified into the provisional genotype Matt116, while that of C. ibidis showed high genetic diversity, sharing only 77% identity with C. ibidis reference strain 10-1398/6. We report for the first time the presence of C. ibidis and C. psittaci in the Crested Ibis, which may indicate a potential threat to the endangered birds and should be aware of the future protection practice.
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17
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Mina A, Fatemeh A, Jamshid R. Detection of Chlamydia psittaci Genotypes Among Birds in Northeast Iran. J Avian Med Surg 2019; 33:22-28. [PMID: 31124608 DOI: 10.1647/2017-334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We determined the prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci genotypes in asymptomatic and symptomatic birds in northeast Iran. Samples were collected from 11 species of Psittaciformes and 1 species of Columbiformes from 2015 to 2016. Choanal cleft and cloacal swab samples, fresh fecal samples, and/or tissue samples of 70 symptomatic and 130 asymptomatic birds were collected and tested by molecular detection (nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing specific for C psittaci). Results showed C psittaci was detected in 37 (18.5%) of 200 birds (18/37 symptomatic and 19/37 asymptomatic birds) by nested PCR assay. Of the PCR-positive samples, 14 products were positive for oligonucleotide sets CTU/CTL by a second PCR assay and genotyped by outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene sequencing. Of the 10 samples positive for genotype A (cockatiels [Nymphicus hollandicus, n = 5], ring-necked parakeet [Psittacula krameri, n = 2], African gray parrot [Psittacus erithacus, n = 3]), 6 samples were from asymptomatic and 4 from symptomatic birds. Genotype B was observed in 3 samples from symptomatic birds (P krameri [n = 2], pigeon [Columba livia, n = 1]), and provisional genotype I was detected in one symptomatic cockatiel. These findings revealed the importance of monitoring imported asymptomatic birds in developing countries, especially the Middle East, where there is no systematic monitoring. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the detection of C psittaci provisional genotype I in cockatiels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbasi Mina
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Akbarzadeh Fatemeh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Razmyar Jamshid
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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18
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Abstract
Chlamydiaceae bacteria infect many vertebrate hosts, and previous reports based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and serologic assays that are prone to cross-reaction among chlamydial organisms have been used to describe the prevalence of either DNA fragments or antibodies to Chlamydia spp. in wild raptorial populations. This study reports the PCR-based prevalence of Chlamydiaceae DNA that does not 100% match any avian or mammalian Chlamydiaceae in wild populations of hawks in California Buteo species. In this study, multimucosal swab samples ( n = 291) for quantitative PCR (qPCR) and plasma ( n = 78) for serology were collected from wild hawks. All available plasma samples were negative for antibodies using a C. psittaci-specific elementary body agglutination test (EBA; n = 78). For IgY antibodies all 51 available samples were negative using the indirect immunofluorescent assay. The overall prevalence of Chlamydiaceae DNA detection in wild Buteo species sampled was 1.37% (4/291) via qPCR-based analysis. Two fledgling Swainson's hawks ( Buteo swainsoni) and two juvenile red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis) were positive by qPCR-based assay for an atypical chlamydial sequence that did not 100% match any known C. psittaci genotype. Positive swab samples from these four birds were sequenced based on the ompA gene and compared by high-resolution melt analysis with all known avian and mammalian Chlamydiaceae. The amplicon sequence did not 100% match any known avian chlamydial sequence; however, it was most similar (98.6%) to C. psittaci M56, a genotype that is typically found in muskrats and hares. Culture and full genome sequence analysis of Chlamydia spp. isolated from diseased hawks will be necessary to classify this organism and to better understand its epizootiology and potential health impact on wild Buteo populations in California.
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19
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Chlamydiaceae: Diseases in Primary Hosts and Zoonosis. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7050146. [PMID: 31137741 PMCID: PMC6560403 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7050146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the Chlamydiaceae family are a type of Gram-negative microorganism typified by their obligate intracellular lifestyle. The majority of the members in the Chlamydiaceae family are known pathogenic organisms that primarily infect the host mucosal surfaces in both humans and animals. For instance, Chlamydia trachomatis is a well-known etiological agent for ocular and genital sexually transmitted diseases, while C. pneumoniae has been implicated in community-acquired pneumonia in humans. Other chlamydial species such as C. abortus, C. caviae, C. felis, C. muridarum, C. pecorum, and C. psittaci are important pathogens that are associated with high morbidities in animals. Importantly, some of these animal pathogens have been recognized as zoonotic agents that pose a significant infectious threat to human health through cross-over transmission. The current review provides a succinct recapitulation of the characteristics as well as transmission for the previously established members of the Chlamydiaceae family and a number of other recently described chlamydial organisms.
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20
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Tolba HMN, Abou Elez RMM, Elsohaby I. Risk factors associated with Chlamydia psittaci infections in psittacine birds and bird handlers. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 126:402-410. [PMID: 30353983 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with Chlamydia psittaci infections in psittacine birds and bird handlers in Egypt. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 190 swabs were collected from psittacine birds (n = 120) and bird handlers (n = 70) and were tested by polymerase chain reaction to detect the C. psittaci ompA gene. Chlamydia psittaci DNA was detected in 63 (52·5%) of 120 samples collected from psittacine birds. The occurrence of C. psittaci infections was high in Cockatiel birds (60%), followed by Fischer's lovebird (51%) and Rosy-faced lovebird (47·5%). Bird age, location (pet markets and households), housing (caged and aviary), and sampling season were considered significant risk factors for C. psittaci infections in psittacine birds. Of the 70 sputum swabs collected from bird handlers, only 4 (6%) were positive for C. psittaci. Positive cases were closely associated with older persons (≥30 years) who had respiratory signs and handled birds in pet markets. Further, wearing protective gloves and washing hands when handling psittacine birds decreased the frequency of C. psittaci infections in bird handlers. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of C. psittaci infections in psittacine birds in Egypt is high, which has a potential threat to human health in this area. Thus, dissemination of effective prevention and control measures is essential to prevent the spread of C. psittaci among psittacine birds, as well as among humans in contact with birds. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Results from this study highlighted the risk factors associated with C. psittaci infections in psittacine birds and bird handlers in Egypt and will aid in developing prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of C. psittaci infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M N Tolba
- Department of Avian and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Egypt
| | - R M M Abou Elez
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Egypt
| | - I Elsohaby
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Egypt.,Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
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21
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Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Mitura A, Zaręba K, Schnee C, Koncicki A, Niemczuk K. Poultry in Poland as Chlamydiaceae Carrier. J Vet Res 2017; 61:411-419. [PMID: 29978103 PMCID: PMC5937338 DOI: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia spp. in poultry in Poland and estimate possible transmission to humans. Material and Methods Molecular diagnostic methods followed by sequencing and strain isolation were used on cloacal/faecal swabs collected from 182 apparently healthy poultry flocks including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Serum samples obtained from people exposed (study group) and non-exposed (control group) to birds were tested by complement fixation test to acquire data on Chlamydia spp. antibody level. Results Overall, 15.9% of the tested flocks were Chlamydiaceae-positive and three Chlamydia spp. were identified. Predominant chlamydial agent found was C. gallinacea occurring in 65.5% of all positive poultry flocks and in 73.0% of positive chicken flocks. The sequences from four chicken flocks were assigned to C. abortus, whereas C. psittaci was confirmed in one duck and one goose flock. The analysis of ompA variable domains revealed at least nine genetic variants of C. gallinacea. Chlamydial antibodies were detected in 19.2% of human serum samples in the study group in comparison with 10.8% in the controls. Conclusion The obtained results confirm that chlamydiae are common among chicken flocks in Poland with C. gallinacea as a dominant species. Moreover, the presence of C. abortus in chickens is reported here for the first time. Further investigation should focus on possible zoonotic transmission of C. gallinacea and C. abortus as well as potential pathogenic effects on birds’ health and poultry production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Mitura
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Kinga Zaręba
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07 743 Jena, Germany
| | - Andrzej Koncicki
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
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JEONG J, AN I, OEM JK, WANG SJ, KIM Y, SHIN JH, WOO C, KIM Y, JO SD, SON K, LEE S, JHEONG W. Molecular prevalence and genotyping of Chlamydia spp. in wild birds from South Korea. J Vet Med Sci 2017; 79:1204-1209. [PMID: 28579580 PMCID: PMC5559364 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds are reservoirs for Chlamydia spp. Of the total 225 samples from wild birds during January to September 2016 in Korea, 4 (1.8%) and 2 (0.9%) showed positive for Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia gallinacea, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses and comparisons of sequence identities for outer-membrane protein A (ompA) revealed that Korean C. psittaci fall into three previously known genotypes; genotype E, 1V and 6N, whereas the Korean C. gallinacea were classified as new variants of C. gallinacea. Our study demonstrates that wild birds in South Korea carry at least two Chlamydia species: C. psittaci and C. gallinacea, and provides new information on the epidemiology of avian chlamydiosis in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipseol JEONG
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Injung AN
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ku OEM
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jun WANG
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongkwan KIM
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hwa SHIN
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanjin WOO
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngsik KIM
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Deok JO
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kidong SON
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Saemi LEE
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Weonhwa JHEONG
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyeong-ro42, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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23
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Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Mitura A, Niemczuk K, Zaręba K, Jodełko A, Pluta A, Scharf S, Vitek B, Aaziz R, Vorimore F, Laroucau K, Schnee C. Dissemination and genetic diversity of chlamydial agents in Polish wildfowl: Isolation and molecular characterisation of avian Chlamydia abortus strains. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174599. [PMID: 28350846 PMCID: PMC5370153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds are considered as a reservoir for avian chlamydiosis posing a potential infectious threat to domestic poultry and humans. Analysis of 894 cloacal or fecal swabs from free-living birds in Poland revealed an overall Chlamydiaceae prevalence of 14.8% (n = 132) with the highest prevalence noted in Anatidae (19.7%) and Corvidae (13.4%). Further testing conducted with species-specific real-time PCR showed that 65 samples (49.2%) were positive for C. psittaci whereas only one was positive for C. avium. To classify the non-identified chlamydial agents and to genotype the C. psittaci and C. avium-positive samples, specimens were subjected to ompA-PCR and sequencing (n = 83). The ompA-based NJ dendrogram revealed that only 23 out of 83 sequences were assigned to C. psittaci, in particular to four clades representing the previously described C. psittaci genotypes B, C, Mat116 and 1V. Whereas the 59 remaining sequences were assigned to two new clades named G1 and G2, each one including sequences recently obtained from chlamydiae detected in Swedish wetland birds. G1 (18 samples from Anatidae and Rallidae) grouped closely together with genotype 1V and in relative proximity to several C. abortus isolates, and G2 (41 samples from Anatidae and Corvidae) grouped closely to C. psittaci strains of the classical ABE cluster, Matt116 and M56. Finally, deep molecular analysis of four representative isolates of genotypes 1V, G1 and G2 based on 16S rRNA, IGS and partial 23S rRNA sequences as well as MLST clearly classify these isolates within the C. abortus species. Consequently, we propose an expansion of the C. abortus species to include not only the classical isolates of mammalian origin, but also avian isolates so far referred to as atypical C. psittaci or C. psittaci/C. abortus intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Mitura
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Kinga Zaręba
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jodełko
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Aneta Pluta
- Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Sabine Scharf
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Bailey Vitek
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Rachid Aaziz
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Fabien Vorimore
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Karine Laroucau
- University Paris-Est, Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christiane Schnee
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
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24
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Abstract
This review presents recent data about avian chlamydiosis. Chlamydia psittaci has been considered to be the main causative agent of chlamydiosis in birds; however, two new Chlamydia species have been detected recently-C. gallinacea in breeding birds and C. avium in wild birds. We discuss the zoonotic potential of avian Chlamydia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis /Department of Cattle and Sheep Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute , Puławy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis /Department of Cattle and Sheep Disease, National Veterinary Research Institute , Puławy, Poland
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25
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Krawiec M, Piasecki T, Wieliczko A. Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci and Other Chlamydia Species in Wild Birds in Poland. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:652-5. [PMID: 26501593 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian chlamydiosis is a zoonotic disease occurring in humans, poultry, and exotic birds. It has been suggested that some wild bird species play an important role as reservoirs for Chlamydia, especially Chlamydia psittaci. Whereas C. psittaci is the predominant chlamydial agent in birds, in the present study we have determined the prevalence of different species of Chlamydia among selected wild bird species in Poland using a rapid and sensitive real-time PCR method. In total, 369 free-living birds from 35 bird species and 15 orders were examined. Samples from 27 birds (7.3%) were positive for chlamydial DNA in the PCR; 22 positive samples (81.5%) belonged to C. psittaci, three to Chlamydia trachomatis (11.1%), and two (7.4%) classified only to the genus Chlamydia. Most of C. psittaci-positive samples belonged to five orders: Anseriformes, Columbiformes, Gruiformes, Phasianiformes, and Passeriformes. All C. trachomatis samples were obtained from Eurasian coots (Gruiformes). Two Chlamydia-positive samples not classified to any Chlamydia species were obtained from a common wood pigeon (Columbiformes) and a common buzzard (Accipitriformes). Detection of C. psittaci and C. trachomatis in free-living bird populations force to think on significance of birds as reservoir of varied Chlamydia species and their epidemiological importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Krawiec
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Bird and Exotic Animals, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences , Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz Piasecki
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Bird and Exotic Animals, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences , Wrocław, Poland
| | - Alina Wieliczko
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Bird and Exotic Animals, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences , Wrocław, Poland
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26
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Frutos MC, Monetti MS, Vaulet LG, Cadario ME, Fermepin MR, Ré VE, Cuffini CG. Genetic diversity of Chlamydia among captive birds from central Argentina. Avian Pathol 2015; 44:50-6. [PMID: 25469538 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2014.993593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
To study the occurrence of Chlamydia spp. and their genetic diversity, we analysed 793 cloacal swabs from 12 avian orders, including 76 genera, obtained from 80 species of asymptomatic wild and captive birds that were examined with conventional nested polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Chlamydia spp. were not detected in wild birds; however, four species (Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia gallinacea) were identified among captive birds (Passeriformes, n = 20; Psittaciformes, n = 15; Rheiformes, n = 8; Falconiformes n = 2; Piciformes n = 2; Anseriformes n = 1; Galliformes n = 1; Strigiformes n = 1). Two pathogens (C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum) were identified simultaneously in samples obtained from captive birds. Based on nucleotide-sequence variations of the ompA gene, three C. psittaci-positive samples detected were grouped into a cluster with the genotype WC derived from mammalian hosts. A single positive sample was phylogenetically related to a new strain of C. gallinacea. This report contributes to our increasing understanding of the abundance of Chlamydia in the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Frutos
- a Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas , Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
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27
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Chlamydiaceae in North Atlantic Seabirds Admitted to a Wildlife Rescue Center in Western France. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:4581-90. [PMID: 25934619 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00778-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds are the primary hosts of Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium that can cause avian chlamydiosis in birds and psittacosis in humans. Wild seabirds are frequently admitted to wildlife rescue centers (WRC) at European Atlantic coasts, for example, in connection with oil spills. To investigate the extent of chlamydial shedding by these birds and the resulting risk for animals in care and the medical staff, seabirds from a French WRC were sampled from May 2011 to January 2014. By use of a quantitative PCR (qPCR), 195 seabirds belonging to 4 orders, 5 families and 13 species were examined, of which 18.5% proved to be Chlamydiaceae positive. The highest prevalence of shedders was found in northern gannets (Morus bassanus) (41%), followed by European herring gulls (Larus argentatus) (14%) and common murres (Uria aalge) (7%). Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of qPCR-positive northern gannet samples revealed two variants of a strain closely related to C. psittaci. In European herring gulls and in one common murre, strains showing high sequence similarity to the atypical Chlamydiaceae-like C122 previously found in gulls were detected. Our study shows that seabirds from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean carry several chlamydial organisms, including C. psittaci-related strains. The staff in WRCs should take protective measures, particularly in the case of mass admissions of seabirds.
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Stenzel T, Pestka D, Choszcz D. The prevalence and genetic characterization of Chlamydia psittaci from domestic and feral pigeons in Poland and the correlation between infection rate and incidence of pigeon circovirus. Poult Sci 2014; 93:3009-16. [PMID: 25306457 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2014-04219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci that occurs in a wide range of bird species. High infection rates with C. psittaci are found in pigeons, which can act as vectors transmitting this bacterium to poultry and humans. Chlamydia shedding by pigeons is intermittent and can be activated by stressors or immunosuppression. The most common immunosuppressive factor for pigeons is a pigeon circovirus (PiCV) infection. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of C. psittaci in Polish populations of domestic and feral pigeons (Columba livia) in the context of its correlation with PiCV infections. The second objective was to determine the genetic characteristics of Polish C. psittaci isolates. The study was conducted on 377 pigeon samples (276 domestic and 101 feral pigeons) collected from pigeons from different regions of Poland. The average prevalence of C. psittaci in the Polish pigeon population was determined at 6.8%, and it was higher in domestic than in feral pigeons. This is the first ever study to suggest a potential correlation between C. psittaci and PiCV infections, which could be attributed to the fact that there are 2 to 3 times more pigeons infected with C. psittaci and coinfected with PiCV than pigeons infected with C. psittaci alone. This trend was observed mainly in the population of sick pigeons. As many as 88.2% of isolates were recognized as belonging to genotype B, and the remaining isolates were identified as belonging to genotype E. The isolates analyzed in this study demonstrated low levels of genetic variation (96-100% homology among the isolates and in relation to reference strains). Chlamydia psittaci could be expected to spread across pigeon populations due to the high probability of mutual infections between birds and the increasing number of PiCV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Stenzel
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Daria Pestka
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Dariusz Choszcz
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Heavy Duty Machines and Research Methodology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 11, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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29
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Abstract
SUMMARYParrots are one of the most popular pet birds in China, and can harbour Chlamydia which has significance for human and animal health. We investigated, by indirect haemagglutination assay, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia infection in four species of parrots, namely budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) that were collected from Weifang and Beijing cities, North China and explored the association between potential risk factors and chlamydial seropositivity. We further determined the genotype of Chlamydia in 21 fresh faecal samples based on the ompA sequence by reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. Of the 311 parrots examined, 35·37% (95% confidence interval 30·06–40·68) were seropositive, and species, gender, age, season and geographical location were identified as risk factors. Two PCR-positive samples represented Chlamydia psittaci genotype A. The occurrence of C. psittaci genotype A in the droppings of two pet parrots in China suggests potential environmental contamination with Chlamydiaceae and may raise a public health concern.
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