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Chen J, Long J, Zhou H, Huang C, Zhu Y, Wang R, Zhang H, Qin Y, Ouyang K, Wei Z, Huang W, Chen Y. Isolation and characterization of Chlamydia felis and its pathogenesis in cats. Vet Microbiol 2024; 295:110128. [PMID: 38851154 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) is a common but complicated disease that occurs in domestic cats, worldwide. 396 cats in Guangxi Province, China were screened for URTD-associated pathogens from March 2022 to August 2023. Mycoplasma felis was found to be the most prevalent infectious agent with a positivity rate of 24.75 %, followed by feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydia felis, feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) and feline influenza A virus (FeIAV) with rates of 15.91, 11.62, 5.56 and 1.52 %, respectively. In particular, C. felis and M. felis were found in 13 of 55 co-infected cats. Of the 46 C. felis-positive samples, one strain, named as GXNN36, was successfully isolated using chicken embryos and it was characterized both in vivo and in vitro. For the cat studies, both high- and low-dose challenged groups showed severe conjunctivitis, accompanied by transient fever and respiratory symptoms. C. felis replicated well in turbinate, trachea and lung tissues with high copy numbers and the infection subsequently spread to the livers, spleens, pancreas, kidneys, hearts and intestines. These findings will help our understanding of the role of C. felis in feline URTD and provide a valuable model to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic remedies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiancai Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Jianming Long
- Guangxi Nanning Heyi Biological Technology Co., Ltd., PR China
| | - Huabo Zhou
- Huabo Pet Hospital, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Chongqiang Huang
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Yaohui Zhu
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Rang Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Haodong Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Yifeng Qin
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Kang Ouyang
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Zuzhang Wei
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Weijian Huang
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China
| | - Ying Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Prevention and Control, Nanning 530004, PR China.
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Hughes L, Visser S, Heddema E, de Smet N, Linssen T, Wijdh RJ, Huis in ’t Veld R. Zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats; A case series of chronic follicular conjunctivitis in humans. New Microbes New Infect 2024; 59:101412. [PMID: 38660577 PMCID: PMC11040131 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101412] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We present three cases of chronic follicular conjunctivitis resulting from the zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats. Our objective is to raise awareness regarding the potential zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats and describe the methodology for definitive pathogen identification using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and subsequent sequence analysis, a useful tool in the identification of these rare pathogens. We discuss the factors that could be contributing to the potential under-diagnosis of zoonotic C. felis infections and propose a treatment regime for cases of C. felis-related conjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hughes
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Stijn Visser
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Ophthalmology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edou Heddema
- Zuyderland Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole de Smet
- Zuyderland-Eyescan BV, Department of Ophthalmology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Linssen
- Huisartsenpraktijk Urmond, Urmond, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Jan Wijdh
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Ophthalmology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Huis in ’t Veld
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Liu J, Qian W, Wang J, Bai Y, Gui Y, Xia L, Gong G, Ge F, Shen H, Chang X, Zhao H. A Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay for the Detection of Chlamydia felis. Pol J Microbiol 2023; 72:339-343. [PMID: 37725895 PMCID: PMC10508970 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2023-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia felis is an important zoonotic agent for humans and various animals. A recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay was developed for detecting C. felis. RAA can be performed in a closed tube at 39°C within 30 min. The detection limit was 10.6 copies of the C. felis plasmid DNA per reaction. No positive signals for other pathogens were detected. The coincidence rate of RAA and conventional PCR was 95.24% (20/21) and 100% (96/96) for positive and negative samples, respectively. The established RAA assay is a simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and specific method for detecting C. felis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Qian
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilan Bai
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaping Gui
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Luming Xia
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Guohua Gong
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Ge
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixiao Shen
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojing Chang
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjin Zhao
- Shanghai Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Shanghai, China
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Tîrziu A, Herman V, Imre K, Degi DM, Boldea M, Florin V, Bochiș TA, Adela M, Degi J. Occurrence of Chlamydia spp. in Conjunctival Samples of Stray Cats in Timișoara Municipality, Western Romania. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112187. [PMID: 36363779 PMCID: PMC9693150 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112187] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread public health concern about stray cats serving as reservoirs for zoonotic agents, little is known about the effect of urban and peri-urban landscapes on exposure risk. We conducted this study to monitor the presence of Chlamydia spp. in stray cats, with or without conjunctivitis, living in Timișoara Municipality, Western Romania, using staining and PCR methods. A total of 95 cats were enrolled, and conjunctival samples were harvested from 68 clinically healthy cats and another 27 cats presenting with clinical signs of conjunctivitis. Overall, we found that 65.3% (62/95) of the cats tested positive for Chlamydia spp. by PCR. Chlamydia spp. were detected in 45/95 conjunctival samples using a standard Giemsa stain, compared with 62/95 using PCR (Cohen’s kappa index = 0.308; p = 0.0640). Of the cats that tested positive by PCR, 72.6% (45/62) were asymptomatic, and another 27.4% (17/62) expressed clinical signs of conjunctivitis. We found no significant difference between (p > 0.05) the distribution of infection and the recorded epidemiological data (sex, breed, age, territorial distribution, or sampling season). However, the Chlamydia spp. detection frequency was significantly higher in asymptomatic than in symptomatic cats (p = 0.0383). The obtained results increase the level of concern and awareness about the possible zoonotic potential of this pathogen and highlight that urban stray cats can be essential sources of feline chlamydiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Tîrziu
- Ophthalmology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Piața Eftimiu Murgu No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viorel Herman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Kálmán Imre
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Maria Degi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Boldea
- Department of Exact Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Florin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Timea Andrea Bochiș
- Department of Semiology—Preclinical I, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marcu Adela
- Department of Animal Production Engineering, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Recourses, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - János Degi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence:
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Wasissa M, Lestari FB, Nururrozi A, Tjahajati I, Indarjulianto S, Salasia SIO. Investigation of chlamydophilosis from naturally infected cats. J Vet Sci 2021; 22:e67. [PMID: 34423603 PMCID: PMC8636657 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydophila felis, formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci var. felis, is frequently associated with ocular, respiratory, and occasionally reproduction tract infections. Even though the infection is sometimes asymptomatic, it potentially results in a latent immunosuppressive infection. Objective This study aimed to identify occurrences of feline chlamydophilosis, rarely reported in cats in Indonesia. Methods The observation was conducted in three cats with clinical signs of Cp. felis infection, particularly relapsing conjunctivitis. The cats' histories were recorded based on owners' information. Conjunctival swabs were sampled for cytology examination and molecular assay detection. A phylogenetic tree was generated using MEGA-X software to reveal group clustering. A post-mortem examination was performed on the cat that died during an examination. Results Cp. felis was detected in both cytological examination and polymerase chain reaction assay. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the Cp. felis isolated in this study clustered with several other isolates from the other countries. Cp. felis can be isolated from cats with different clinical manifestations and levels of severity. The chronic fatal infection demonstrated interstitial broncho-pneumonia under histopathological examination. Conclusions Molecular assay of Cp. felis is always recommended to obtain a definitive diagnosis of feline chlamydophilosis since the disease can have various clinical manifestations. Even though it may be subclinical and is often not fatal, an infected cat may be a carrier that could spread the pathogen in the surrounding environment. Serious disease management is suggested to avoid high costs associated with regularly relapsing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madarina Wasissa
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Fajar Budi Lestari
- Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia.,Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Alfarisa Nururrozi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Ida Tjahajati
- Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Soedarmanto Indarjulianto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Siti Isrina Oktavia Salasia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia.
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Occurrence of Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia felis pmp9 Typing in Conjunctival and Rectal Samples of Swiss Stray and Pet Cats. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080951. [PMID: 34451415 PMCID: PMC8400119 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) felis primarily replicates in feline conjunctival epithelial cells and is an important cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Data on C. felis infection rates in stray cats in Switzerland has been missing so far. We performed a qPCR-based Chlamydiaceae-screening on 565 conjunctival and 387 rectal samples from 309 stray and 86 pet cats followed by Chlamydia species identification and C. felis typing using the gene pmp9, which encodes a polymorphic membrane protein. Overall, 19.1% of the stray and 11.6% of the pet cats were Chlamydiaceae-positive with significantly higher rates in cats displaying signs of conjunctivitis (37.1%) compared to healthy animals (6.9%). Rectal shedding of Chlamydiaceae occurred in 25.0% of infected cats and was mostly associated with concurrent ocular positivity (87.5%). In 92.2% of positive conjunctival and rectal samples, the Chlamydia species was identified as C. felis and in 2.6% as C. abortus. The C. felis pmp9 gene was very conserved in the sampled population with only one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in one conjunctival sample. In conclusion, C. felis strains are circulating in Swiss cats, are associated with conjunctivitis, have a low pmp9 genetic variability, and are rectally shed in about 16% of positive cases.
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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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Detection of Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-like organisms on the ocular surface of children and adults from a trachoma-endemic region. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7432. [PMID: 29743637 PMCID: PMC5943520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23887-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness, is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a bacterium of the phylum Chlamydiae. Recent investigations revealed the existence of additional families within the phylum Chlamydiae, also termed Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs). In this study, the frequency of Ct and CLOs was examined in the eyes of healthy Sudanese (control) participants and those with trachoma (case). We tested 96 children (54 cases and 42 controls) and 93 adults (51 cases and 42 controls) using broad-range Chlamydiae and Ct-specific (omcB) real-time PCR. Samples positive by broad-range Chlamydiae testing were subjected to DNA sequencing. Overall Chlamydiae prevalence was 36%. Sequences corresponded to unclassified and classified Chlamydiae. Ct infection rate was significantly higher in children (31.5%) compared to adults (0%) with trachoma (p < 0.0001). In general, 21.5% of adults and 4.2% of children tested positive for CLOs (p = 0.0003). Our findings are consistent with previous investigations describing the central role of Ct in trachoma among children. This is the first study examining human eyes for the presence of CLOs. We found an age-dependent distribution of CLO DNA in human eyes with significantly higher positivity in adults. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of CLOs in trachoma pathogenicity and/or protection.
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