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Szymańska-Czerwińska M, Zaręba-Marchewka K, Niemczuk K. New insight on chlamydiae. J Vet Res 2023; 67:559-565. [PMID: 38130448 PMCID: PMC10730554 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the current knowledge on chlamydiae, which are intracellular bacteria belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family. Whole-genome sequencing leads to great increases in the available data about Chlamydia spp. Recently, novel chlamydial taxons in various hosts living in different environments have been recognised. New species and taxons with Candidatus status have been recorded mainly in birds and reptiles. Chlamydia gallinacea is an emerging infectious agent in poultry with indirectly confirmed zoonotic potential. Recently, a new group of avian C. abortus strains with worldwide distribution in various wild bird families has been described. The definition of C. abortus species became outdated with the discovery of these strains and has been amended. It now includes two subgroups, mammalian and avian, the latter including all isolates hitherto referred to as atypical C. psittaci or C. psittaci/C. abortus intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, Puławy, Poland
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Niemczuk
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, Puławy, Poland
- Laboratory of Serological Diagnosis, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
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2
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Kasimov V, White RT, Jelocnik M. Draft genomes of novel avian Chlamydia abortus strains from Australian Torresian crows ( Corvus orru) shed light on possible reservoir hosts and evolutionary pathways. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37991482 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001134] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is a major causative agent of reproductive loss in ruminants, with zoonotic potential. Though this pathogen is primarily known to infect livestock, recent studies have detected and isolated genetically distinct avian strains of C. abortus from wild birds globally. Before this study, only five avian C. abortus genomes were publicly available. Therefore, we performed culture-independent probe-based whole-genome sequencing on clinical swabs positive for avian C. abortus obtained from Australian Torresian crows (Corvus orru) in 2019 and 2020. We successfully obtained draft genomes for three avian C. abortus strains (C1, C2 and C3), each comprising draft chromosomes with lengths of 1 115 667, 1 120 231 and 1 082 115 bp, and associated 7 553 bp plasmids, with a genome completeness exceeding 92 %. Molecular characterization revealed that these three strains comprise a novel sequence type (ST333), whilst phylogenetic analyses placed all three strains in a cluster with other avian C. abortus genomes. Interestingly, these three strains share a distant genomic relation (2693 single nucleotide variants) with the reference strain 15-58d/44 (ST152), isolated from a Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) in Poland, highlighting the need for more publicly available genomes. Broad comparative analyses with other avian C. abortus genomes revealed that the three draft genomes contain conserved Chlamydia genomic features, including genes coding for type III secretion system and polymorphic membrane proteins, and potential virulence factors such as the large chlamydial cytotoxin, warranting further studies. This research provides the first avian C. abortus draft genomes from Australian birds, highlighting Torresian crows as novel reservoir hosts for these potential pathogens, and demonstrates a practical methodology for sequencing novel Chlamydia genomes without relying on traditional cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilli Kasimov
- University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4556, Australia
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia
| | - Rhys T White
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4556, Australia
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia
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3
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Yao W, Yang X, Shi J, Yang Z, Yao Y, Kou J, Liu S, Wang L, Wu Z, Shi G, Yan H, Song Y. Case Report: A case of Chlamydia psittaci infection in an HIV patient. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1185803. [PMID: 37260699 PMCID: PMC10229061 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1185803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is the pathogen of psittacosis and infects a wide range of birds and even humans. Human infection occurs most commonly in those with a history of contact with birds or poultry. We describe a case of psittacosis in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient in Zhejiang Province for the first time. C. psittaci infection was confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Real-Time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences from the patient's samples clustered with genotype A in the same branch. Our study highlights the possibility of diagnosing psittacosis in patients with a chronic disease such as HIV-infected patients, and should increase awareness and surveillance of psittacosis in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwu Yao
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuhui Yang
- Department of Health Monitoring, Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinchuan Shi
- Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhangnv Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Disease Prevention Control Center of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Kou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Disease Prevention Control Center of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shelan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoyin Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoxiang Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yajun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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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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Experimental inoculation of chicken broilers with C. gallinacea strain 15-56/1. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23856. [PMID: 34903753 PMCID: PMC8668880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia gallinacea is one of the new Chlamydia species, encountered predominantly in birds and occasionally in cattle, and its dissemination, pathogenicity and zoonotic potential have not yet been fully elucidated. Until now, no case of clinical infection has been described in poultry, but the number of studies is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the course of infection and the impact on production parameters in chicken broilers inoculated with the strain 15-56/1 isolated from a Polish flock. The presence of C. gallinacea was confirmed in oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs by real-time PCR from the fifth day post inoculation (dpi). Pathogen DNA was also detected in many internal organs of inoculated chickens. All infected animals remained asymptomatic during the entire experimental period, although statistical analyses showed that broilers in the experimental group exhibited significantly lower body weight gains and feed conversion ratios than animals in the control group. These data indicate that subclinical C. gallinacea infection in broilers may lead to financial losses for poultry farmers.
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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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Sukon P, Nam NH, Kittipreeya P, Sara-In A, Wawilai P, Inchuai R, Weerakhun S. Global prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2021; 192:105370. [PMID: 33984601 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Chamydia species are bacterial pathogens that can infect a wide range of animal hosts including humans. In birds, Chlamydia psittaci is a leading cause of chlamydial infections (avian chlamydiosis) and is a zoonotic pathogen causing human psittacosis. The objectives of this study were to estimate the global prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds, to assess heterogeneity of the prevalence for some particular characteristics (continents, bird orders, specimen types, and diagnostic techniques), and to determine the trend of the prevalence over time. The relevant citations on the prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved citations were screened for possible eligibility. Then, full-texts of eligible articles were assessed for data extraction. A random effects model was used for estimating the global prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds and for all other meta-analyses. Subgroup meta-analysis was used to assess heterogeneity of the prevalence for the characteristics mentioned above. Meta-regression analysis and cumulative meta-analysis were used to determine the trend of the prevalence over time. The quality of each included study was also evaluated. Of 579 citations, 74 studies (a total of 39,225 bird samples from 26 countries, five continents) were included in meta-analysis. Almost all included studies reported birds with C. psittaci infections. The global prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds was 19.5 % (95 % CI, 16.3 %-23.1 %). No significant differences of the prevalence were observed among continents, the prevalence ranged from 16.5 % (95 % CI, 9.8 %-26.5 %) in South America to 21.7 % (95 % CI, 12.1 %-35.9 %) in North America. No significant differences of the prevalence were observed among bird orders, the prevalence ranged from 13.4 % (95 % CI, 7.0 %-23.9 %) in Passeriformes to 32.0 % (95 % CI, 20.6 %-46.1 %) in Galliformes. No significant differences of the prevalence were observed between specimen types; the prevalence was 18.4 % (95 % CI, 15.2 %-22.2 %) for live specimens and 26.3 % (95 % CI, 17.1 %-38.1 %) for carcass specimens. The prevalence was significantly higher in non-PCR techniques (29.5 %, [95 % CI, 22.4 %-37.8 %]) than in PCR techniques (15.3 %, [95 % CI, 12.1 %-19.1 %]). The cumulative evidence showed that the prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds has been relatively stable around 20 % since 2012. This study indicates that the global prevalence of chlamydial infections in birds is quite high and all bird orders are potential sources for human psittacosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peerapol Sukon
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand; Research and Development on Toxic Substances, Microorganisms and Feed Additives in Livestock and Aquatic Animals for Food Safety, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
| | - Nguyen Hoai Nam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Viet Nam
| | | | | | | | - Rawikan Inchuai
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
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Stalder S, Marti H, Borel N, Mattmann P, Vogler B, Wolfrum N, Albini S. Detection of Chlamydiaceae in Swiss wild birds sampled at a bird rehabilitation centre. Vet Rec Open 2020; 7:e000437. [PMID: 33224510 PMCID: PMC7662422 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2020-000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Annually, 800–1500 wild birds are admitted to the rehabilitation centre of the Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Lucerne, Switzerland. The workers of the centre come in close contact with the avian patients and might therefore be exposed to zoonotic agents shed by these birds, such as Chlamydia psittaci. Methods In the present study, 91 choanal, 91 cloacal and 267 faecal swabs from 339 wild birds of 42 species were investigated using a stepwise diagnostic approach. Results Chlamydiaceae were detected in 0.9 per cent (0.3–2.6 per cent) of birds (n=3), all of them members of the Columbidae family. The Chlamydiaceae species of two of these birds (one Eurasian collared dove, one fancy pigeon) were identified as C psittaci types B and E by PCR and outer membrane protein A genotyping. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that zoonotic transmission of Chlamydiaceae is very unlikely for songbird and waterfowl species tested herein, while pigeons might pose a risk to workers at rehabilitation centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Stalder
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hanna Marti
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Prisca Mattmann
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Vogler
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Wolfrum
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Albini
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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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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Chlamydia psittaci in fulmars on the Faroe Islands: a causative link to South American psittacines eight decades after a severe epidemic. Microbes Infect 2020; 22:356-359. [PMID: 32135200 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.02.007] [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: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A psittacosis epidemic linked to fulmar hunting occurred on the Faroe Islands in the 1930s. This study investigates a plausible explanation to the 20% human mortality in this outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Chlamydia psittaci isolated from fulmars were closely related to the highly virulent 6BC strains from psittacines and are compatible with an acquisition by fulmars of an ancestor of the 6BC clade in the 1930s. This supports the hypothesis that the outbreak on the Faroe Islands started after naïve fulmars acquired C. psittaci from infected dead parrots thrown overboard when shipped to Europe in the 1930s.
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Mattmann P, Marti H, Borel N, Jelocnik M, Albini S, Vogler BR. Chlamydiaceae in wild, feral and domestic pigeons in Switzerland and insight into population dynamics by Chlamydia psittaci multilocus sequence typing. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226088. [PMID: 31887111 PMCID: PMC6936790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral pigeons, common wood pigeons and Eurasian collared doves are the most common representatives of the Columbidae family in Switzerland and are mostly present in highly populated, urban areas. Pigeons may carry various members of the obligate intracellular Chlamydiaceae family, particularly Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, a known zoonotic agent, and C. avium. The objective of the study was to identify the infection rates of common free-roaming pigeons for different Chlamydia species with the overall aim to assess the risk pigeons pose to public health. In this study, 431 pigeons (323 feral pigeons, 34 domestic pigeons, 39 Eurasian collared doves, 35 common wood pigeons) from several geographic locations in Switzerland were investigated for the presence of Chlamydiaceae. Samples consisted of pooled choanal-cloacal swabs (n = 174), liver samples (n = 52), and paired swab and liver samples from 205 pigeons (n = 410). All 636 samples were screened using a Chlamydiaceae family-specific 23S rRNA real-time PCR (qPCR). Subsequent species identification was performed by DNA-microarray assay, sequencing of a 16S rRNA gene fragment and a C. psittaci specific qPCR. In total, 73 of the 431 pigeons tested positive for Chlamydiaceae, of which 68 were positive for C. psittaci, four were C. avium-positive and one pigeon was co-infected with C. avium and C. psittaci. The highest infection rates were detected in feral (64/323) and domestic pigeons (5/34). Common wood pigeons (2/35) and Eurasian collared doves (2/39) revealed lower infection rates. Additionally, multilocus sequence typing of twelve selected C. psittaci-positive samples revealed closely related sequence types (ST) between and within different Swiss cities. Furthermore, liver and corresponding swab samples from the same bird were colonized by the same ST. Considering the high infection rates of C. psittaci in domestic and feral pigeons, close or frequent contact to these birds poses a human health risk.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Animals, Wild
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/chemistry
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/classification
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Bird Diseases/diagnosis
- Bird Diseases/microbiology
- Chlamydiaceae/classification
- Chlamydiaceae/genetics
- Chlamydiaceae/isolation & purification
- Chlamydophila psittaci/genetics
- Chlamydophila psittaci/isolation & purification
- Columbidae
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/isolation & purification
- DNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- Multilocus Sequence Typing
- Phylogeny
- Population Dynamics
- Psittacosis/diagnosis
- Psittacosis/microbiology
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/isolation & purification
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism
- Switzerland
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca Mattmann
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Hanna Marti
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Sarah Albini
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Renate Vogler
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Liu SY, Li KP, Hsieh MK, Chang PC, Shien JH, Ou SC. Prevalence and Genotyping of Chlamydia psittaci from Domestic Waterfowl, Companion Birds, and Wild Birds in Taiwan. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:666-673. [PMID: 30855216 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci, the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis, an important zoonotic disease, infects a wide range of birds. Infected birds, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, intermittently shed the agent through respiratory and intestinal routes. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the epizootiology of C. psittaci in poultry, pet birds, and wild birds. In this study, cloacal or fecal swabs collected from domestic waterfowl, psittacine birds, Columbidae, and wild birds were used to determine the prevalence of C. psittaci in Taiwan between 2014 and 2017. The C. psittaci infection rate was as high as 34.2% among domestic waterfowl farms. The waterfowl isolates clustered into two groups based on ompA phylogeny: one group (G1-like) clustered with the Polish G1 strains; the other group (waterfowl-TW) clustered near, but independently from, the classical ABE genotype cluster. Separately, 3.1% of parrot samples tested positive for C. psittaci belonging to genotype A. C. psittaci isolates of genotype B were detected in 10.1% of racing pigeons and other Columbidae. Wild bird samples from a wildlife refuge had a 2.2% prevalence rate; among these, two atypical C. psittaci genotypes were detected in samples from a Malayan night heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) and a Taiwan barbet (Megalaima nuchalis). Taken together, our results revealed that the risk of C. psittaci transmission from domestic waterfowl and Columbidae birds to humans could be underestimated, given the high prevalence rates in these birds. Furthermore, the free-range rearing system of waterfowl in Taiwan may promote C. psittaci transmission between poultry and wild birds. Pet birds and racing pigeons, which are in close contact with people, are also possible sources for cross-species transmission. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the virulence, biological and genetic characteristics, and modes of transmission of Taiwanese C. psittaci isolates to facilitate the prevention and control of C. psittaci infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Yu Liu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Po Li
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Kun Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Poa-Chun Chang
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Shien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Chia Ou
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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13
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Borel N, Polkinghorne A, Pospischil A. A Review on Chlamydial Diseases in Animals: Still a Challenge for Pathologists? Vet Pathol 2018; 55:374-390. [PMID: 29310550 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817751218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydiae have a worldwide distribution causing a wide range of diseases in human hosts, livestock, and companion animals as well as in wildlife and exotic species. Moreover, they can persist in their hosts as asymptomatic infections for extended periods of time. The introduction of molecular techniques has revolutionized the Chlamydia field by expanding the host range of known chlamydial species but also by discovering new species and even new families of bacteria in the broader order Chlamydiales. The wide range of hosts, diseases, and tissues affected by chlamydiae complicate the diagnosis such that standard diagnostic approaches for these bacteria are rare. Bacteria of the Chlamydiales order are small and their inclusions are difficult to detect by standard microscopy. With the exception of avian and ovine chlamydiosis, macroscopic and/or histologic changes might not be pathognomic or indicative for a chlamydial infection or even not present at all. Moreover, detection of chlamydial DNA in specimens in the absence of other methods or related pathological lesions questions the significance of such findings. The pathogenic potential of the majority of recently identified Chlamydia-related bacteria remains largely unknown and awaits investigation through experimental or natural infection models including histomorphological characterization of associated lesions. This review aims to summarize the historical background and the most important developments in the field of animal chlamydial research in the past 5 years with a special focus on pathology. It will summarize the current nomenclature, present critical thoughts about diagnostics, and give an update on chlamydial infections in domesticated animals such as livestock, companion animals and birds, as well as free-ranging and captive wild animals such as reptiles, fish, and marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Borel
- 1 Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- 2 Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Andreas Pospischil
- 1 Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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