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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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Ciuria S, Brouwer MSM, de Gier MM, van Zeeland Y, Bossers A, Prähauser B, Schädler J, Hatt JM, Heijne M, Borel N. Chlamydia caviae in Swiss and Dutch Guinea Pigs-Occurrence and Genetic Diversity. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101230. [PMID: 34684177 PMCID: PMC8539544 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101230] [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: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) caviae is a known pathogen in guinea pigs, causing conjunctivitis, respiratory infections and abortions. Recently, a C. caviae-induced zoonotic link was identified as the etiology of severe community-acquired pneumonia in humans. Here, 784 conjunctival and rectal swabs originating from 260 guinea pigs and 110 rabbits from 64 husbandries in Switzerland, as well as 200 composite conjunctival swabs originating from 878 guinea pigs from 37 husbandries in The Netherlands were examined by real-time PCR followed by conventional PCR and sequencing. Chlamydiaceae were detected in 2.3% (18/784) and 12.5% (25/200) of all Swiss and Dutch samples, respectively. An overall C. caviae occurrence was detected in 2.7% (7/260) and 8.9% (78/878) of all Swiss and Dutch guinea pigs, respectively. OmpA genotyping of 64 C. caviae-positive samples resulted in 33 sequences sharing 100% nucleotide identity with the strains isolated from the zoonotic transmission cases in The Netherlands. However, all ompA sequences of this study were distinct from the C. caviae GPIC reference strain. C. caviae was not detected in rabbits but C. psittaci genotype A was identified in guinea pigs and rabbits, raising concerns about the importance of these animal species as novel zoonotic sources for C. psittaci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ciuria
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.P.)
- Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael S. M. Brouwer
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.S.M.B.); (A.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Marende M. de Gier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.M.d.G.); (Y.v.Z.)
| | - Yvonne van Zeeland
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.M.d.G.); (Y.v.Z.)
| | - Alex Bossers
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.S.M.B.); (A.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Barbara Prähauser
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.P.)
- Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Schädler
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Jean-Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Marloes Heijne
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (M.S.M.B.); (A.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (B.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-44-6358563
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Hijacking and Use of Host Kinases by Chlamydiae. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121034. [PMID: 33321710 PMCID: PMC7763869 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121034] [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: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia species are causative agents of sexually transmitted infections, blinding trachoma, and animal infections with zoonotic potential. Being an obligate intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia relies on the host cell for its survival and development, subverting various host cell processes throughout the infection cycle. A key subset of host proteins utilized by Chlamydia include an assortment of host kinase signaling networks which are vital for many chlamydial processes including entry, nutrient acquisition, and suppression of host cell apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in our understanding of host kinase subversion by Chlamydia.
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Insertional mutagenesis in the zoonotic pathogen Chlamydia caviae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224324. [PMID: 31697687 PMCID: PMC6837515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to introduce targeted genetic modifications in microbial genomes has revolutionized our ability to study the role and mode of action of individual bacterial virulence factors. Although the fastidious lifestyle of obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens poses a technical challenge to such manipulations, the last decade has produced significant advances in our ability to conduct molecular genetic analysis in Chlamydia trachomatis, a major bacterial agent of infertility and blindness. Similar approaches have not been established for the closely related veterinary Chlamydia spp., which cause significant economic damage, as well as rare but potentially life-threatening infections in humans. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of conducting site-specific mutagenesis for disrupting virulence genes in C. caviae, an agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis that was recently identified as a zoonotic agent in cases of severe community-acquired pneumonia. Using this approach, we generated C. caviae mutants deficient for the secreted effector proteins IncA and SinC. We demonstrate that C. caviae IncA plays a role in mediating fusion of the bacteria-containing vacuoles inhabited by C. caviae. Moreover, using a chicken embryo infection model, we provide first evidence for a role of SinC in C. caviae virulence in vivo.
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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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Hokynar K, Kurkela S, Nieminen T, Saxen H, Vesterinen EJ, Mannonen L, Pietikäinen R, Puolakkainen M. Parachlamydia acanthamoebae Detected during a Pneumonia Outbreak in Southeastern Finland, in 2017⁻2018. Microorganisms 2019; 7:E141. [PMID: 31108956 PMCID: PMC6560421 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7050141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. However, the definite etiology of CAP often remains unresolved, suggesting that unknown agents of pneumonia remain to be identified. The recently discovered members of the order Chlamydiales, Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRB), are considered as possible emerging agents of CAP. Parachlamydia acanthamoebae is the most studied candidate. It survives and replicates inside free-living amoeba, which it might potentially use as a vehicle to infect animals and humans. A Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak was observed in Kymenlaakso region in Southeastern Finland during August 2017-January 2018. We determined the occurrence of Chlamydiales bacteria and their natural host, free-living amoeba in respiratory specimens collected during this outbreak with molecular methods. Altogether, 22/278 (7.9%) of the samples contained Chlamydiales DNA. By sequence analysis, majority of the CRBs detected were members of the Parachlamydiaceae family. Amoebal DNA was not detected within the sample material. Our study further proposes that Parachlamydiaceae could be a potential agent causing atypical CAP in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Hokynar
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Satu Kurkela
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tea Nieminen
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, FI-00029 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Harri Saxen
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, FI-00029 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Eero J Vesterinen
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - Laura Mannonen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Risto Pietikäinen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, FI-48210 Kotka, Finland.
| | - Mirja Puolakkainen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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Polkinghorne A, Borel N, Heijne M, Pannekoek Y. New evidence for domesticated animals as reservoirs of Chlamydia-associated community-acquired pneumonia. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 25:131-132. [PMID: 30394363 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Polkinghorne
- Animal Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia.
| | - N Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Heijne
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Y Pannekoek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Centre for Infection and Immunity, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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