Naslov
Detection of Chlamydia psittaci genotypes in fecal samples of homing pigeons in Croatia

Autori
Horvatek Tomić, Danijela ; Laroucau, Karine ; Prukner-Radovčić, Estella

Izvornik
Veterinarski arhiv (0372-5480) 83 (2013), 2; 201-209

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
genotyping; Chlamydia psittaci; pigeons

Sažetak
In this investigation fecal samples of altogether 232 homing pigeons lofts belonging to both racing and breeding pigeons were examined by specific real-time PCR to reveal the presence of Chlamydiaceae and randomly collected Chlamydia positive samples were genotyped by two different molecular methods ; C. psittaci-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and multilocus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) scheme, in order to obtain relevant information about the prevalence of different genotypes, and to reveal the potential threat to human that are coming to closer contact with homing pigeons. Chlamydiosis in birds manifests as acute, inapparent, sub-clinical, and chronic disease, but frequently also as asymptomatic infection, which represents additional danger for public health. Nowadays, nine different genotypes of C. psittaci have been generally accepted, based on PCR amplification, as well as additional six provisional genotypes, based on DNA microarray. Predominant serotype/genotype in pigeons is B, but also other genotypes were discovers, as A, C and D, as well as mixed infection. Out of 232 examined samples, 30 (12.9%) of them turned to be PCR positive. Randomly, DNA from six positive fecal samples was further examined and the presence of C. psittaci was confirmed in all of them. According to RFLP genotyping, from 6 C. psittaci positive samples, 4 of them belonged to genotype B, and 2 strains remained untyped, due to the low concentration of isolated DNA. Regarding the MLVA typing, pattern assigned as 22146334 could be described as a classical “pigeon” MLVA pattern. Presence of 12.9% homing pigeons positive to Chlamydiaceae by PCR clearly demonstrates the presence of zoonotic microorganism and possible risk for pigeon’s fanciers that are coming in close contact with birds. Further investigations will be needed to clearly identify all positive samples, due to the possibility that some other Chlamydia species could be found in pigeons.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita, Veterinarska medicina

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