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De Meyst A, De Clercq P, Porrez J, Geens T, Braeckman L, Ouburg S, Morré SA, Vanrompay D. Belgian Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study on Zoonotic Avian Chlamydia spp. in Chickens. Microorganisms 2024; 12:193. [PMID: 38258018 PMCID: PMC10820512 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia gallinacea, and Chlamydia abortus are the most common Chlamydia spp. in chickens and have a confirmed or suggested zoonotic potential. No recent data are available on their prevalence and impact in the Belgian chicken industry or in the recreational chicken branch. Therefore, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was executed where samples were collected from both factory-farmed and backyard chickens. More specifically, pharyngeal chicken swabs were obtained from 20 chicken farms, 5 chicken abattoirs, and 38 different backyard locations and were analyzed using species-specific Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs) for the presence of the three avian Chlamydia spp. To investigate their zoonotic potential, samples were simultaneously collected from 54 backyard chicken caretakes and 37 professional chicken caretakers or abattoir employees and analyzed using species-specific PCRs as well. This study confirmed the presence of DNA of all three Chlamydia species in both the chicken industry and backyard settings. Chlamydia psittaci was the most prevalent in the industry chickens (11.0%), whereas Chlamydia gallinacea was the dominant species in the backyard chickens (14.5%). Chlamydia abortus infections were more common in the commercial chickens (9.0%) compared to the backyard chickens (2.6%). The DNA of all three species was also detected in humans (3.9% Chlamydia psittaci, 2.9% Chlamydia gallinacea, and 1.0% Chlamydia abortus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne De Meyst
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.M.); (P.D.C.); (J.P.)
| | - Pieter De Clercq
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.M.); (P.D.C.); (J.P.)
| | - Jelmer Porrez
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.M.); (P.D.C.); (J.P.)
| | - Tom Geens
- Research and Analytics, Liantis, 8200 Bruges, Belgium;
| | - Lutgart Braeckman
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Sander Ouburg
- Research & Development, Microbe&Lab BV, 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.O.); (S.A.M.)
| | - Servaas A. Morré
- Research & Development, Microbe&Lab BV, 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.O.); (S.A.M.)
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Dutch Chlamydia trachomatis Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.M.); (P.D.C.); (J.P.)
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Zheng X, Wu C, Jiang B, Qin G, Zeng M. Clinical analysis of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia: Case series study. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220698. [PMID: 37772263 PMCID: PMC10523279 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0698] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical characteristics and diagnosis of ten cases with severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia were analyzed. Ten patients had high fever, cough, or diarrhea, and all had a history of contact with birds or poultry. The white blood cell count of the patients was normal or slightly increased. The percentage of neutrophils (N%) and C reactive protein of the patients were significantly increased. Chest computer tomography showed patchy consolidation of both lungs, with one-sided lung lobes prominent, and bronchial inflation signs. All the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure. Nine patients needed ventilator-assisted ventilation therapy, and one patient needed high-flow oxygen therapy. All patients had sepsis, and five patients developed septic shock. The patients were diagnosed with severe C. psittaci pneumonia by clinical manifestations and contact history. After timely adjustment of tetracycline-based treatment, eight patients recovered and were discharged, and two patients died of septic shock and respiratory failure. Patients with poultry contact should be cautious toward C. psittaci pneumonia. A better method for the detection of C. psittaci is metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Its examination can shorten the diagnosis time. In a later stage, large-sample research is needed to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, 439 Xuanhua Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Chonghao Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, 439 Xuanhua Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Bing Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, 439 Xuanhua Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Guangmei Qin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, 439 Xuanhua Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Ming Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, 439 Xuanhua Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, 402160, China
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Spörndly-Nees E, Uhlhorn H, Jinnerot T, Neimanis A. Chlamydia psittaci in garden birds in Sweden. One Health 2023; 16:100542. [PMID: 37363230 PMCID: PMC10288092 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100542] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased numbers of human infections with Chlamydia psittaci have been associated with bird feeding activities in southern Sweden. Information on occurrence and genotype of C. psittaci in garden birds in Sweden is required to corroborate this finding but data are limited. Additionally, pathogenicity of C. psittaci for garden birds is poorly understood. In this study, C. psittaci infection was investigated in 275 garden birds representing 22 species submitted for wildlife disease surveillance between 2009 and 2019. PCR was used to detect C. psittaci DNA in liver and lung. Positive samples were genotyped, additional PCR was performed on feces, and tissues were examined microscopically. C. psittaci was found in six (2.2 %) birds; three great tits (Parus major), two feral (Columba livia) and one wood pigeon (Columba palumbus). Two great tits and the wood pigeon had inflammatory lesions associated with C. psittaci. In the great tits and wood pigeon, C. psittaci genotype A, the cause of most human cases, was detected. Genotype B, considered endemic in pigeons, was detected in the feral pigeons. Low incidence of C. psittaci in dead Swedish garden birds was similar to studies on apparently healthy Swedish birds. Pathological findings were consistent with C. psittaci being fatal in half of the positive birds, which also had higher bacterial loads in feces. This highlights the risk for human infection via infected garden birds, especially regarding great tits and pigeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Spörndly-Nees
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Henrik Uhlhorn
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomas Jinnerot
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aleksija Neimanis
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
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Wang L, Lin C, Qi Y. Gestational psittacosis causes severe pneumonia and miscarriage: A case report and literature review. Radiol Case Rep 2023; 18:1959-1962. [PMID: 36970243 PMCID: PMC10030822 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Psittacosis is an uncommon zoonotic illness, and gestational psittacosis is even rarer. The clinical signs and symptoms of psittacosis are varied, often overlooked, and swiftly identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. We recorded the case of a 41-year-old pregnant woman with psittacosis where the disease was not detected early on, resulting in severe pneumonia and fetal miscarriage. The clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of psittacosis in pregnancy are the subject of this case study.
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Oh S, Park SH, Choi JH, Kim SL, Kim M, Lee S, Yi MH, Lee IY, Yong TS, Kim JY. The microbiota in feces of domestic pigeons in Seoul, Korea. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14997. [PMID: 37095944 PMCID: PMC10121612 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In Korea, feral pigeons pose significant public health risks because they carry various zoonotic pathogens. Human population density is a significant factor in zoonotic disease events. Seoul is one of the largest cities by population density among developed countries and where most of the homeless population in Korea exists. We designed this study to compare the microbiota of pigeon feces by regional characteristics and the presence of homeless individuals. Therefore, this study used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to detect possible pathogenic microbes and assess the current risk of zoonosis in Seoul, South Korea. Pigeon fecal samples (n = 144) obtained from 19 public sites (86 and 58 fecal samples from regions in and outside Seoul, respectively) were examined. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were also detected in the fecal samples; Campylobacter spp. was found in 19 samples from 13 regions, Listeriaceae was found in seven samples, and Chlamydia spp. was found in three samples from two regions. Principal coordinates analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in bacterial composition between the regions in Seoul (n = 86) and outside Seoul (n = 58) and between the regions with (n = 81) and without (n = 63) homeless individuals. Overall, this study identified various potentially pathogenic microorganisms in pigeon feces at public sites in South Korea. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the microbial composition was influenced by regional characteristics and homelessness. Taken together, this study provides important information for public health strategic planning and disease control.
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Immunomodulatory Effects of Macrolides Considering Evidence from Human and Veterinary Medicine. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122438. [PMID: 36557690 PMCID: PMC9784682 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrolide antimicrobial agents have been in clinical use for more than 60 years in both human and veterinary medicine. The discovery of the non-antimicrobial properties of macrolides and the effect of immunomodulation of the inflammatory response has benefited patients with chronic airway diseases and impacted morbidity and mortality. This review examines the evidence of antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial properties of macrolides in human and veterinary medicine with a focus toward veterinary macrolides but including important and relevant evidence from the human literature. The complete story for these complex and important molecules is continuing to be written.
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Liang Y, Dong T, Li M, Zhang P, Wei X, Chen H, Wang Y, Gao X. Clinical diagnosis and etiology of patients with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia based on metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1006117. [PMID: 36310873 PMCID: PMC9606567 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1006117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of severe Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) pneumonia and coinfections is increasing. Early detection of this condition is needed to prevent negative outcomes, along with detailed descriptions of its associated clinical characteristics. Our study contributes by undertaking etiological analysis of patients with C. psittaci pneumonia based on metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). A retrospective analysis of 30 patients with C. psittaci pneumonia was undertaken and confirmed by mNGS or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical manifestations of the severe and non-severe C. psittaci pneumonia groups were compared for clinical reference. Etiological analyses were also performed to comprehensively understand pathogeny and coinfection with other respiratory pathogens in C. psittaci patients. The absolute value of lymphocytes (LYM) in the severe group was lower than in the non-severe group. At the same time, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), procalcitonin (PCT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), D-II polymer, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), myoglobin (MYO), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the severe group. mNGS has a broader pathogen spectrum and can more sensitively detect C. psittaci and other low-abundance pathogens with a higher positive detection rate (100%, 13/13 vs. 46%, 6/13, P <0.05) than conventional culture methods. mNGS detected the following dominant species associated with C. psittaci in patients: bacteria (53.2%, 39% gram-positive, 61% gram-negative), fungi (12.9%), and viruses (33.9%). A total of 73.3% (11/15) of patients had suspected coinfections, with a coinfection rate of 91.7% (11/12) in the severe group. No coinfection or death occurred in the non-severe group. Prognosis in the severe group was poor, with a mortality rate of 27.3% (3/11) for patients with coinfection. Eight of 11 patients with coinfections (72.7%) recovered. In conclusion, the clinical symptoms of severe C. psittaci pneumonia manifested as abnormal inflammatory indicators, impaired liver function, myocardial injury, coagulation, and relatively low immune responses. The higher proportion of patients with coinfections in our study supports the use of mNGS for comprehensive early detection of respiratory infections in patients with C. psittaci pneumonia. Simultaneous early identification of coinfections would further improve the clinical treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Liang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingyan Dong
- Integrated Diagnostic Centre for Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center, Guangzhou, China
- The School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minjing Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Peifang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xiaoqun Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Haitao Chen
- Integrated Diagnostic Centre for Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongsi Wang
- Integrated Diagnostic Centre for Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinglin Gao
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinglin Gao,
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Duan Z, Gao Y, Liu B, Sun B, Li S, Wang C, Liu D, Wang K, Zhang Y, Lou Z, Xie L, Xie F. The Application Value of Metagenomic and Whole-Genome Capture Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis and Epidemiological Analysis of Psittacosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:872899. [PMID: 35734579 PMCID: PMC9207344 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.872899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTo evaluate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for the early diagnosis of psittacosis, and to investigate its epidemiology by whole-genome capture.MethodsTwenty-one bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples of 16 psittacosis patients from multiple centers during August 2019 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. mNGS with normal datasets (10 M 75-bp single-end reads after sequencing) and larger datasets (30 M 150-bp paired-end reads after sequencing) as well as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to detect the pathogen. Also, whole-genome capture of Chlamydophila psittaci was applied to draw the phylogenetic tree.ResultsmNGS successfully detected the pathogen in all 16 cases (100%), while qPCR was positive only in 5 out of 10 cases (50%), indicating a significantly higher sensitivity of mNGS than qPCR (p < 0.01). BALF-mNGS performed better than blood-mNGS (16/16 versus 3/5, p < 0.05). In addition, larger datasets (the read counts have tripled, and the base number was 12-fold larger compared to clinical mNGS with a normal dataset) of mNGS showed significantly increased contents of human DNA (p < 0.05) and decreased reads per million of the pathogen, suggesting no improvement. Whole-genome capture results of five samples (>60% coverage and >1 depth) were used to construct the phylogenetic tree.ConclusionSignificant advantages of mNGS with normal datasets were demonstrated in early diagnosing psittacosis. It is the first study to use whole-genome capture to analyze C. psittaci epidemiological information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimei Duan
- College of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqiu Gao
- Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Characteristic Medical Center, the Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces, Tianjin, China
| | - Baohua Sun
- Department of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Shuangfeng Li
- Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenlei Wang
- Department of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Dongli Liu
- Department of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yan’an University Affiliated Hospital, Yan’an, China
| | - Kaifei Wang
- College of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Hugobiotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Lou
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Hugobiotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Xie, ; Lixin Xie, ; Zheng Lou,
| | - Lixin Xie
- College of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Xie, ; Lixin Xie, ; Zheng Lou,
| | - Fei Xie
- College of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Xie, ; Lixin Xie, ; Zheng Lou,
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Sun L, Li P, Pang B, Wu P, Wang R. Gestational Psittacosis With Secondary Hemophagocytic Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:755669. [PMID: 34869453 PMCID: PMC8636855 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.755669] [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: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational psittacosis and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) are rare clinical diseases. In this article, a case of gestational psittacosis concomitant with secondary HPS was reported. An analysis was performed on the clinical characteristics, signs, laboratory findings, progression, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with gestational psittacosis concomitant with secondary HPS. Besides, the literature with respect to this disease was reviewed. This patient was definitively diagnosed through metagenomic next-generation sequencing techniques, bone marrow puncture and smear examination, and the determination of sCD25 level and natural killer (NK) cell activity. Anti-infectives such as doxycycline and etoposide combined with hormone chemotherapy achieved significant improvement in cough and expectoration, a return to normal temperature, and a significant improvement in oxygenation index. In addition, chest computed tomography revealed obvious absorption of lung lesions and a return of NK cell activity and sCD25 levels to normal ranges. Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia requires a clear determination of etiology, while HPS requires bone marrow puncture and smear examination, together with the determination of sCD25 level and NK cell activity in the blood. The findings of this study suggest that metagenomic next-generation sequencing is an effective instrument in clearly identifying pathogens that cause lung infection. Clinicians should consider atypical pathogens of lung infection in patients with poor response to empirical anti-infectives, and strive to design an effective treatment strategy as per an accurate diagnosis based on the etiology. As for patients suffering from long-term high fever and poor temperature control after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, non-infectious fever should be taken into account. A rapid and clear diagnosis would significantly improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Pulin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Peipei Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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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Wu HH, Feng LF, Fang SY. Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:300. [PMID: 34556069 PMCID: PMC8461849 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01673-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the transmission of the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) from birds to humans. Infections in humans mainly present as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, most cases are treated without diagnostic testing, and the importance of Chlamydia psittaci infection as a cause of CAP is therefore unclear. Diagnostic tools, including culture, serologic test, and PCR-based methods, are available but prone to false negative results. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly when conventional diagnostic approaches have limitation. Detection of nucleic acid sequence of C. psittaci in respiratory tract samples by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is effective for early diagnosis of severe C. psittaci pneumonia. Timely treatment based on tetracycline can reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics and improve prognosis of patients with severe C. psittaci pneumonia. Methods Clinical data of thirteen patients with severe C. psittaci pneumonia diagnosed by mNGS were collected. Clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of patients were summarized. Results The typical symptoms of pneumonia caused by C. psittaci include fever, headache, myalgia, cough, and dyspnea. In the current study, all patients met the criteria for severe C. psittaci pneumonia and received mechanical ventilation, including noninvasive mechanical ventilation (five/thirteen) and invasive mechanical ventilation (eight/thirteen). The findings showed that patients with C. psittaci pneumonia presented with normal or slightly increased leucocytes and procalcitonin, and high C-reactive protein levels. Computed tomography manifestations included consolidation of lung parenchyma, with air bronchogram and pleural effusion in some patients. mNGS analysis results were obtained within 48–72 h. Eleven patients fully recovered after targeted treatment, however, two patients died from secondary multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Conclusions The findings of the current study show that mNGS is effective in diagnosis of C. psittaci pneumonia, and has significant diagnosis value in patients with severe infection. Patients responds well to the timely use of appropriate antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Huan Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dongyang Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, 322100, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Lan-Fang Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dongyang Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, 322100, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shuang-Yan Fang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dongyang Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, 322100, Zhejiang Province, China
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Li N, Li S, Tan W, Wang H, Xu H, Wang D. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the family outbreak of psittacosis: the first reported family outbreak of psittacosis in China under COVID-19. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1418-1428. [PMID: 34176434 PMCID: PMC8284143 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1948358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci infection in humans, also known as psittacosis, is usually believed to be an uncommon disease which mainly presents as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). It is usually sporadic, but outbreaks of infection may occasionally occur. In outbreaks, diagnosis and investigations were usually hampered by the non-specificity of laboratory testing methods to identify C. psittaci. In this study, we use metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of a family outbreak of psittacosis under COVID-19. Three members of an extended family of 6 persons developed psittacosis with pneumonia and hepatic involvement with common symptoms of fever and weakness. Two newly purchased pet parrots, which had died successively, were probably the primary source of infection. Imagings show lung consolidations and infiltrates, which are difficult to be differentiated from CAP caused by other common pathogens. mNGS rapidly identified the infecting agent as C. psittaci within 48 h. The results of this work suggest that there are not characteristic clinical manifestations and imagings of psittacosis pneumonia which can differentiate from CAP caused by other pathogens. The use of mNGS can improve accuracy and reduce the delay in the diagnosis of psittacosis especially during the outbreak, which can shorten the course of the disease control. Family outbreak under COVID-19 may be related to the familial aggregation due to the epidemic. To our knowledge, this is the first reported family outbreak of psittacosis in China, and the first reported psittacosis outbreak identified by the method of mNGS in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengjin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanmei Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanghang Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Xu
- Vision Medicals Center for Infection Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Daoxing Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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13
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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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Akter R, Sansom FM, El-Hage CM, Gilkerson JR, Legione AR, Devlin JM. A 25-year retrospective study of Chlamydia psittaci in association with equine reproductive loss in Australia. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70:001284. [PMID: 33258756 PMCID: PMC8131020 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Chlamydia psittaci is primarily a pathogen of birds but can also cause disease in other species. Equine reproductive loss caused by C. psittaci has recently been identified in Australia where cases of human disease were also reported in individuals exposed to foetal membranes from an ill neonatal foal in New South Wales.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. The prevalence of C. psittaci in association with equine reproductive over time and in different regions of Australia is not known.Aim. This study was conducted to detect C. psittaci in equine abortion cases in Australia using archived samples spanning 25 years.Methodology. We tested for C. psittaci in 600 equine abortion cases reported in Australia between 1994 to 2019 using a Chlamydiaceae real-time quantitative PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene followed by high-resolution melt curve analysis. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis was performed on positive samples.Results. The overall prevalence of C. psittaci in material from equine abortion cases was 6.5 %. C. psittaci-positive cases were detected in most years that were represented in this study and occurred in Victoria (prevalence of 7.6 %), New South Wales (prevalence of 3.9 %) and South Australia (prevalence of 15.4 %). Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis showed that the C. psittaci detected in the equine abortion cases clustered with the parrot-associated 6BC clade (genotype A/ST24), indicating that infection of horses may be due to spillover from native Australian parrots.Conclusion. This work suggests that C. psittaci has been a significant agent of equine abortion in Australia for several decades and underscores the importance of taking appropriate protective measures to avoid infection when handling equine aborted material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumana Akter
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Fiona M. Sansom
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Charles M. El-Hage
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - James R. Gilkerson
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alistair R. Legione
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Joanne M. Devlin
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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15
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Pang Y, Cong F, Zhang X, Li H, Chang YF, Xie Q, Lin W. A recombinase polymerase amplification-based assay for rapid detection of Chlamydia psittaci. Poult Sci 2020; 100:585-591. [PMID: 33518111 PMCID: PMC7858173 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic agent of systemic wasting disease in birds and atypical pneumonia in mammalians including humans, constituting a public health risk. A rapid diagnostic assay would be beneficial in screening C. psittaci in the field. In this study, we developed a probe-based recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for the rapid detection of C. psittaci. The specific primer pairs and probe targeting the conserved region of the outer membrane protein A gene were designed and applied to the real-time real-time RPA assay. The test can be performed at 39°C for 20 min using a portable device, with sensitivities approaching 100 copies of DNA molecules per reaction, with no cross-reaction with other pathogens. The clinical performance of the RPA assay was evaluated in an outbreak of C. psittaci and has high accuracy levels in field applications. The epidemic C. psittaci strains were classed into 2 genotypes: A and C. Collectively, this study offers a promising approach in screening for C. psittaci both in a laboratory setting and in field settings, and RPA can be used as an effective clinical test to monitor outbreaks in domestic fowl populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Animal Virus Vector Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, P.R. China
| | - Feng Cong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou 510633, P.R. China
| | - Xinheng Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Animal Virus Vector Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, P.R. China
| | - Hongxin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Animal Virus Vector Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, P.R. China
| | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Qingmei Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Animal Virus Vector Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, P.R. China
| | - Wencheng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Animal Virus Vector Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, P.R. China; Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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16
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Species, sex and geographic variation in chlamydial prevalence in abundant wild Australian parrots. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20478. [PMID: 33235241 PMCID: PMC7686501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci (order: Chlamydiales) is a globally distributed zoonotic bacterium that can cause potentially fatal disease in birds and humans. Parrots are a major host, yet prevalence and risk factors for infection in wild parrots are largely unknown. Additionally, recent research suggests there is a diverse range of novel Chlamydiales circulating in wildlife. We therefore sampled seven abundant parrot species in south-eastern Australia, taking cloacal swabs and serum from n = 132 wild adults. We determined C. psittaci and Chlamydiales prevalence and seroprevalence, and tested for host species, sex, geographical and seasonal differences, and temporal changes in individual infection status. Across all species, Chlamydiales prevalence was 39.8% (95% CI 31.6, 48.7), C. psittaci prevalence was 9.8% (95% CI 5.7, 16.3) and C. gallinacea prevalence was 0.8% (95% CI 0.1, 4.5). Other Chlamydiales species were not identified to species level. We identified two C. psittaci strains within the 6BC clade, which is highly virulent in humans. Seroprevalence was 37.0% (95% CI 28.5, 46.4). Host species (including crimson rosellas, galahs, sulphur-crested cockatoos and blue-winged parrots) differed in seroprevalence and Chlamydiales prevalence. Galahs had both highest Chlamydiales prevalence (54.8%) and seroprevalence (74.1%). Seroprevalence differed between sites, with a larger difference in males (range 20–63%) than females (29–44%). We reveal a higher chlamydial prevalence than previously reported in many wild parrots, with implications for potential reservoirs, and transmission risks to humans and other avian hosts.
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17
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Occupational Respiratory Infections. Clin Chest Med 2020; 41:739-751. [PMID: 33153691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2020.08.003] [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: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Occupational respiratory infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Transmission in occupational settings can occur from other humans, animals, or the environment, and occur in various occupations and industries. In this article, we describe 4 occupationally acquired respiratory infections at the focus of NIOSH investigations over the last decade: tuberculosis (TB), influenza, psittacosis, and coccidioidomycosis. We highlight the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures.
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18
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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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Hogerwerf L, Roof I, de Jong MJK, Dijkstra F, van der Hoek W. Animal sources for zoonotic transmission of psittacosis: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:192. [PMID: 32131753 PMCID: PMC7057575 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-4918-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human psittacosis, caused by Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, is likely underdiagnosed and underreported, since tests for C. psittaci are often not included in routine microbiological diagnostics. Source tracing traditionally focuses on psittacine pet birds, but recently other animal species have been gaining more attention as possible sources for human psittacosis. This review aims to provide an overview of all suspected animal sources of human psittacosis cases reported in the international literature. In addition, for each animal species the strength of evidence for zoonotic transmission was estimated. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using four databases (Pubmed, Embase, Scopus and Proquest). Articles were included when there was mention of at least one human case of psittacosis and a possible animal source. Investigators independently extracted data from the included articles and estimated strength of evidence for zoonotic transmission, based on a self-developed scoring system taking into account number of human cases, epidemiological evidence and laboratory test results in human, animals, and the environment. Results Eighty articles were included, which provided information on 136 different situations of possible zoonotic transmission. The maximum score for zoonotic transmission was highest for turkeys, followed by ducks, owls, and the category ‘other poultry’. Articles reporting about zoonotic transmission from unspecified birds, psittaciformes and columbiformes provided a relatively low strength of evidence. A genotypical match between human and animal samples was reported twenty-eight times, including transmission from chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, pigeons, ducks, geese, songbirds, parrot-like birds and owls. Conclusions Strong evidence exists for zoonotic transmission from turkeys, chickens and ducks, in addition to the more traditionally reported parrot-like animal sources. Based on our scoring system, the evidence was generally stronger for poultry than for parrot-like birds. Psittaciformes should not be disregarded as an important source of human psittacosis, still clinicians and public health officials should include poultry and birds species other than parrots in medical history and source tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenny Hogerwerf
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Inge Roof
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Marianne J K de Jong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frederika Dijkstra
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wim van der Hoek
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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20
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Rybarczyk J, Versteele C, Lernout T, Vanrompay D. Human psittacosis: a review with emphasis on surveillance in Belgium. Acta Clin Belg 2020; 75:42-48. [PMID: 30882289 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2019.1590889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci causes psittacosis in humans, mainly in persons in contact with birds in either the setting of occupational or companion bird exposure. Infection is associated with a range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic infection to severe atypical pneumonia and systemic disease. This paper reviews new knowledge on psittacosis, its legal and regulatory aspects and presents epidemiological data on psittacosis in Belgium. In Belgium, the number of reported positive laboratory results increased slowly since 2010, and in 2017, the number almost doubled compared to the two previous years. The number of psittacosis cases in Belgium, as in other countries, is probably highly underestimated, because of underdiagnoses and underreporting. Over the 3-year period, the mandatory notification system registered 24% only of all reported positive laboratory result. Therefore, increased awareness among general and occupational physicians, clinicians and the public is needed. Policies aimed at reducing psittacosis disease burden are justified, nevertheless national health authorities should provide more legal and financial support to implement more adequate C. psittaci diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rybarczyk
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlot Versteele
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tinne Lernout
- Scientific Directorate of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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21
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SURVEILLANCE FOR CHLAMYDIA SPP. WITH MULTILOCUS SEQUENCE TYPING ANALYSIS IN WILD AND CAPTIVE BIRDS IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. J Wildl Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.7589/2018-11-281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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22
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Jones B, Taylor K, Lucas RM, Merritt T, Chicken C, Heller J, Carrick J, Givney R, Durrheim DN. Challenges in using serological methods to explore historical transmission risk of Chlamydia psittaci in a workforce with high exposure to equine chlamydiosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 43. [PMID: 31838983 DOI: 10.33321/cdi.2019.43.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction This report describes the challenges encountered in using serological methods to study the historical transmission risk of C. psittaci from horses to humans. Methods In 2017, serology and risk factor questionnaire data from a group of individuals, whose occupations involved close contact with horses, were collected to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to C. psittaci and identify risk factors associated with previous exposure. Results 147 participants were enrolled in the study, provided blood samples, and completed a questionnaire. On ELISA testing, antibodies to the Chlamydia genus were detected in samples from 17 participants but further specific species-specific MIF testing did not detect C. psittaci-specific antibodies in any of these samples. Conclusion No serological evidence of past C. psittaci transmission from horses to humans was found in this study cohort. There are major challenges in using serological methods to determine the prevalence of C. psittaci exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Jones
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Health, Wallsend, NSW; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | - Kathryn Taylor
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Health, Wallsend, NSW
| | - Robyn M Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
| | - Tony Merritt
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Health, Wallsend, NSW
| | | | - Jane Heller
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW
| | | | | | - David N Durrheim
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Health, Wallsend, NSW; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW
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Nieuwenhuizen AA, Dijkstra F, Notermans DW, van der Hoek W. Laboratory methods for case finding in human psittacosis outbreaks: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:442. [PMID: 30165831 PMCID: PMC6118005 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3317-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psittacosis outbreak investigations require rapid identification of cases in order to trace possible sources and perform public health risk assessments. In recent outbreaks in the Netherlands, such investigations were hampered by the non-specificity of laboratory testing methods to identify human Chlamydia psittaci infections. Method A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases of literature published between 01 January, 1986 and 03 July, 2017 was done to find best practices of laboratory-testing methods used in psittacosis outbreaks of two or more human cases. Reference lists of included articles were hand searched to identify additional articles. Results Thirty-seven eligible articles were identified, describing 44 human psittacosis outbreaks in 12 countries. Laboratory tests performed were PCR (with various targets), serologic tests (complement binding reactions, ELISA’s, immunofluorescence tests and immuno-peroxidase tests) and culture, in various combinations. The literature provided no ‘gold standard’ laboratory testing strategy to identify recent human C. psittaci infections. In most psittacosis outbreaks, for a considerable number of cases (or tested individuals in an exposed cohort), C. psittaci infection could not be confirmed, nor excluded as causative pathogen. None of the testing strategies was found to be suitable for (nearly) full case finding. Conclusion PCR enables rapid identification of human psittacosis patients and helps source finding by genotyping but has the disadvantage that sensitivity is high only in the acute phase. In outbreak situations, there is often a time delay and therefore, there is a need for new serologic testing methods next to PCR, with good specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, serum is easier to collect than the preferred diagnostic materials for PCR. A serologic test that can reliably confirm infection status without the necessity of convalescent serum sampling would enhance case finding, source tracing, identification of risk factors and assessment of burden of disease in various settings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3317-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies A Nieuwenhuizen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Frederika Dijkstra
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Daan W Notermans
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van der Hoek
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Vande Weygaerde Y, Versteele C, Thijs E, De Spiegeleer A, Boelens J, Vanrompay D, Van Braeckel E, Vermaelen K. An unusual presentation of a case of human psittacosis. Respir Med Case Rep 2018; 23:138-142. [PMID: 29719801 PMCID: PMC5926501 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia psittaci is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular organism. Birds are the main reservoir, but also non-avian domestic animals and humans can be infected. In humans it mostly causes respiratory infections due to occupational exposure with varying severity. Sensitive and specific diagnostic tests are needed to define psittacosis in humans as these tests also allow rapid tracing of the animal source. However, diagnosis in humans is often based on time-consuming culture techniques and antibody detection assays as in many countries, the existing molecular diagnostic tests for psittacosis are not reimbursed by the public health insurance. Case presentation An 82-year old female was referred to the hospital with a non-productive cough since four weeks and since one week fever up to 39 °C, myalgia, generalized skin rash, acral edema and generalized weakness under treatment with moxifloxacin. Blood analysis showed signs of inflammation with mild eosinophilia. Chest CT showed multiple peripheral ground glass opacities with consolidation in both lungs. Pulmonary function testing only showed a mild decrease in diffusion capacity. Viral and bacterial serology were negative. As the patient kept a pet parakeet for over ten years, a nested PCR for C. psittaci was performed on a nasopharyngeal swab of the patient and on feces of the parakeet. Both returned positive for the same genotype. Genotyping was performed by a genotype-specific real-time PCR. The patient fully recovered after a ten-day course of azithromycin. Conclusion Due to non-specific signs during psittacosis, early detection of the infection and differentiation from hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be challenging. Culture and antibody titers for C. psittaci have a lower sensitivity than PCR-testing due to several factors. We present a case of human psittacosis (presenting as pneumonia) with diagnosis based on clinical findings confirmed by means of nested PCR. This case suggests the added value of PCR in suspect cases despite negative serology. Our current paper underlines the need for a broader implementation of PCR for early diagnosis of human psittacosis and thus early initiation of correct antibiotic treatment with reduction of morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Vande Weygaerde
- Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Corresponding author.
| | - Charlot Versteele
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elke Thijs
- Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anton De Spiegeleer
- Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jerina Boelens
- Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Braeckel
- Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karim Vermaelen
- Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
Psittacosis (infection with Chlamydia psittaci) can have diverse presentations in humans, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe systemic disease. Awareness of psittacosis and its presentations are low among clinicians and the general public. Therefore, underdiagnosis and thereby underestimation of the incidence and public health importance of psittacosis is very likely. We used the methodology developed for the Burden of communicable diseases in Europe toolkit of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to construct a model to estimate disease burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to psittacosis. Using this model, we estimated the disease burden caused by psittacosis in the Netherlands to have been 222 DALY per year (95% CI 172-280) over the period 2012-2014. This is comparable with the amount of DALYs estimated to be due to rubella or shigellosis in the same period in the Netherlands. Our results highlight the public health importance of psittacosis and identify evidence gaps pertaining to the clinical presentations and prognosis of this disease.
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26
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Lugert R, Groß U, Masanta WO, Linsel G, Heutelbeck A, Zautner AE. Seroprevalence of Chlamydophila Psittaci among Employees of Two German Duck Farms. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2017; 7:267-273. [PMID: 29403654 PMCID: PMC5793695 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2017.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci. To determine the occupational risk of getting the infection, we investigated the seroprevalence of C. psittaci among employees of two German duck farms and two slaughterhouses according to their level of exposure to the pathogen during the years 2010, 2007, and 2004. In summary, we found low seroprevalence (≈ 8%) throughout the study population almost irrespective of the duty of a given worker. Surprisingly, in 2010, the anti-C. psittaci-specific antibody prevalence in the group of slaughterer (38.9%) was significantly increased in comparison to the non-exposed employees (p = 0.00578). This indicates that individuals in the surrounding of slaughterhouses exposed especially to aerosols containing C. psittaci elementary bodies bear a greater occupational risk of getting infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimond Lugert
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Groß
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wycliffe O Masanta
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gunter Linsel
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Biological Agents, NöldnerstraBe 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany
| | - Astrid Heutelbeck
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Evironmental Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 37b, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas E Zautner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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27
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Chlamydia psittaci (psittacosis) as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:3096-3105. [PMID: 28946931 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268817002060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the transmission of the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci from birds to humans. Infections in humans mainly present as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, most cases of CAP are treated without diagnostic testing, and the importance of C. psittaci infection as a cause of CAP is therefore unclear. In this meta-analysis of published CAP-aetiological studies, we estimate the proportion of CAP caused by C. psittaci infection. The databases MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched for relevant studies published from 1986 onwards. Only studies that consisted of 100 patients or more were included. In total, 57 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. C. psittaci was the causative pathogen in 1·03% (95% CI 0·79-1·30) of all CAP cases from the included studies combined, with a range between studies from 0 to 6·7%. For burden of disease estimates, it is a reasonable assumption that 1% of incident cases of CAP are caused by psittacosis.
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28
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Balsamo G, Maxted AM, Midla JW, Murphy JM, Wohrle R, Edling TM, Fish PH, Flammer K, Hyde D, Kutty PK, Kobayashi M, Helm B, Oiulfstad B, Ritchie BW, Stobierski MG, Ehnert K, Tully TN. Compendium of Measures to ControlChlamydia psittaciInfection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017. J Avian Med Surg 2017; 31:262-282. [DOI: 10.1647/217-265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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29
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Ornelas-Eusebio E, Sánchez-Godoy FD, Chávez-Maya F, De la Garza-García JA, Hernández-Castro R, García-Espinosa G. First Identification of Chlamydia psittaci in the Acute Illness and Death of Endemic and Endangered Psittacine Birds in Mexico. Avian Dis 2017; 60:540-4. [PMID: 27309302 DOI: 10.1637/11360-122915-case] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A mortality episode of endemic and endangered psittacine birds from the genera Ara and Amazona occurred during January 2015. The birds were housed in a management unit for wildlife conservation that receives wild-caught birds from illegal trade. In total, 11 (57%) adult birds of different origins that shared these accommodations died. Only four of them were sent for diagnosis. The main lesions found at necropsy were consistent with those described previously for avian chlamydiosis; the presence of Chlamydiaceae was confirmed through immunofluorescence and amplification with further sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene by using hepatic tissue. Due to the lack of specific diagnostic tools on primary psittacine diseases, the pathogenic effects of systemic, respiratory, or enteric infections with high mortality rates remain unknown in Mexico. In this study, specific molecular identification of avian chlamydiosis was performed using a nested PCR on liver tissues, as well as choanal and cloacal swab samples, confirming the presence of Chlamydia psittaci in all of them. In addition, it was possible to obtain the ompA gene sequence from processed clinical samples, thereby allowing us to determine that the A genotype was affecting these birds. Although this genotype is the most commonly found worldwide in psittacine birds, this case report describes the first avian chlamydiosis outbreak affecting critically endangered and endemic psittacines subjected to reintegration programs in Mexico. Consequently, this study demonstrates the necessity of more exhaustive biosecurity strategies because other pathogens may be present and should be assessed, especially in highly threatened birds, before releasing them into their habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ornelas-Eusebio
- A Department of Avian Medicine and Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacan 04510, D.F., Mexico
| | - F D Sánchez-Godoy
- A Department of Avian Medicine and Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacan 04510, D.F., Mexico
| | - F Chávez-Maya
- A Department of Avian Medicine and Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacan 04510, D.F., Mexico
| | - J A De la Garza-García
- B Department of Ecology of Pathogenic Agents, Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital, Tlalpan 14080, D.F., Mexico
| | - R Hernández-Castro
- B Department of Ecology of Pathogenic Agents, Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital, Tlalpan 14080, D.F., Mexico
| | - G García-Espinosa
- A Department of Avian Medicine and Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacan 04510, D.F., Mexico
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30
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Sánchez A, Prats-van der Ham M, Tatay-Dualde J, Paterna A, de la Fe C, Gómez-Martín Á, Corrales JC, Contreras A. Zoonoses in Veterinary Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169534. [PMID: 28052113 PMCID: PMC5215727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Veterinary students face diverse potential sources of zoonotic pathogens since the first years of their academic degree. Such sources include different animal species and pathologic materials which are used at university facilities as well as commercial clinics, farms and other external facilities. OBJECTIVES The present study utilizes a systematic review of the literature to identify zoonoses described in veterinary students. DATA SOURCES Web of Science and PubMed. RESULTS Of the 1,254 titles produced by the bibliographic search, 62 were included in this review. Whereas 28 of these articles (45.2%) described individual cases or outbreaks, the remaining 34 (54.8%) reported serological results. The zoonotic etiological agents described were bacteria, in 39 studies (62.9%), parasites, in 12 works (19.4%), virus, in 9 studies (14.5%) and fungi, in 2 (3.2%) of the selected articles. The selected literature included references from 24 different countries and covered the time period of the last 55 years. LIMITATIONS The fact that common cases of disease or cases of little clinical importance without collective repercussions are not usually published in peer-reviewed journals limits the possibility to reach conclusions from a quantitative point of view. Furthermore, most of the selected works (66.1%) refer to European or North American countries, and thus, the number of cases due to pathogens which could appear more frequently in non-occidental countries might be underestimated. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS The results of the present systematic review highlight the need of including training in zoonotic diseases since the first years of Veterinary Science degrees, especially focusing on biosecurity measures (hygienic measures and the utilization of the personal protective equipment), as a way of protecting students, and on monitoring programs, so as to adequately advise affected students or students suspicious of enduring zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Sánchez
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Miranda Prats-van der Ham
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Juan Tatay-Dualde
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Ana Paterna
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Christian de la Fe
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Ángel Gómez-Martín
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Juan C. Corrales
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
| | - Antonio Contreras
- Research Group of Ruminant Health, Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, Murcia University, Spain
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31
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Farida H, Gasem MH, Suryanto A, Keuter M, Zulkarnain N, Satoto B, van der Eijk AA, Djokomoeljanto R, Wahyono H, Verbrugh HA, Severin JA, van den Broek PJ. Viruses and Gram-negative bacilli dominate the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in Indonesia, a cohort study. Int J Infect Dis 2015; 38:101-7. [PMID: 26255889 PMCID: PMC7110756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Knowledge about the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is essential for adequate management. Presently, few studies about CAP are available from Southeast Asia. This study aimed to investigate the etiology, severity, and outcome of CAP in the most populous Southeast Asia country, Indonesia. Methods From October 2007 to April 2009, adult patients admitted with CAP to two hospitals in Semarang, Indonesia, were included to detect the etiology of CAP using a full range of diagnostic methods. The severity of disease was classified according to the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). The outcome was assessed as 30-day mortality. Results In total, 148 consecutive patients with CAP were included. Influenza virus (18%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (13%) were the most common agents identified. Other Gram-negative bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia pneumoniae each accounted for 5%. The bacteria presented wild type antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Forty-four percent of subjects were high-risk patients (PSI class IV-V). The mortality rate (30%) was significantly associated with disease severity score (P<0.001), and with failure to establish an etiological diagnosis (P=0.027). No associations were found between etiology and underlying diseases, PSI class, nor mortality. Conclusions Viruses and Gram-negative bacilli are dominant causes of CAP in this region, more so than S. pneumoniae. Most of the bacteria have wild type susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Patients with severe disease and those with unknown etiology have a higher mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmia Farida
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University - Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia.
| | - M Hussein Gasem
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Kariadi Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Agus Suryanto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Kariadi Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Monique Keuter
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nasirun Zulkarnain
- Department of Radiology, Dr. Kariadi Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Satoto
- Department of Radiology, Dr. Kariadi Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | | | - R Djokomoeljanto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Kariadi Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Hendro Wahyono
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University - Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Henri A Verbrugh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juliëtte A Severin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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32
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Opota O, Jaton K, Branley J, Vanrompay D, Erard V, Borel N, Longbottom D, Greub G. Improving the molecular diagnosis of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus infection with a species-specific duplex real-time PCR. J Med Microbiol 2015; 64:1174-1185. [PMID: 26297212 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus are closely related intracellular bacteria exhibiting different tissue tropism that may cause severe but distinct infection in humans. C. psittaci causes psittacosis, a respiratory zoonotic infection transmitted by birds. C. abortus is an abortigenic agent in small ruminants, which can also colonize the human placenta and lead to foetal death and miscarriage. Infections caused by C. psittaci and C. abortus are underestimated mainly due to diagnosis difficulties resulting from their strict intracellular growth. We developed a duplex real-time PCR to detect and distinguish these two bacteria in clinical samples. The first PCR (PCR1) targeted a sequence of the 16S-23S rRNA operon allowing the detection of both C. psittaci and C. abortus. The second PCR (PCR2) targeted the coding DNA sequence CPSIT_0607 unique to C. psittaci. The two PCRs showed 100 % detection for ≥ 10 DNA copies per reaction (1000 copies ml(- 1)). Using a set of 120 samples, including bacterial reference strains, clinical specimens and infected cell culture material, we monitored 100 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity for the detection of C. psittaci and C. abortus for PCR1. When PCR1 was positive, PCR2 could discriminate C. psittaci from C. abortus with a positive predictive value of 100 % and a negative predictive value of 88 %. In conclusion, this new duplex PCR represents a low-cost and time-saving method with high-throughput potential, expected to improve the routine diagnosis of psittacosis and pregnancy complication in large-scale screening programs and also during outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onya Opota
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katia Jaton
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - James Branley
- Department of Microbiology, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Veronique Erard
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, HFR-Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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33
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Wolff BJ, Morrison SS, Pesti D, Ganakammal SR, Srinivasamoorthy G, Changayil S, Weil MR, MacCannell D, Rowe L, Frace M, Ritchie BW, Dean D, Winchell JM. Chlamydia psittaci comparative genomics reveals intraspecies variations in the putative outer membrane and type III secretion system genes. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 161:1378-91. [PMID: 25887617 PMCID: PMC4635502 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular bacterium that can cause significant disease among a broad range of hosts. In humans, this organism may cause psittacosis, a respiratory disease that can spread to involve multiple organs, and in rare untreated cases may be fatal. There are ten known genotypes based on sequencing the major outer-membrane protein gene, ompA, of C. psittaci. Each genotype has overlapping host preferences and virulence characteristics. Recent studies have compared C. psittaci among other members of the Chlamydiaceae family and showed that this species frequently switches hosts and has undergone multiple genomic rearrangements. In this study, we sequenced five genomes of C. psittaci strains representing four genotypes, A, B, D and E. Due to the known association of the type III secretion system (T3SS) and polymorphic outer-membrane proteins (Pmps) with host tropism and virulence potential, we performed a comparative analysis of these elements among these five strains along with a representative genome from each of the remaining six genotypes previously sequenced. We found significant genetic variation in the Pmps and tbl3SS genes that may partially explain differences noted in C. psittaci host infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Wolff
- 1Infectious Diseases Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA 2Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shatavia S Morrison
- 2Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Denise Pesti
- 1Infectious Diseases Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Satishkumar Ranganathan Ganakammal
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ganesh Srinivasamoorthy
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shankar Changayil
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Ryan Weil
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Duncan MacCannell
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lori Rowe
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael Frace
- 3The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Branson W Ritchie
- 1Infectious Diseases Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Deborah Dean
- 4Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 5UCSF and UC Berkeley Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Oakland, CA
| | - Jonas M Winchell
- 2Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Enrofloxacin and macrolides alone or in combination with rifampicin as antimicrobial treatment in a bovine model of acute Chlamydia psittaci infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119736. [PMID: 25768665 PMCID: PMC4358964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic bacterium with a wide host range that can cause respiratory disease in humans and cattle. In the present study, effects of treatment with macrolides and quinolones applied alone or in combination with rifampicin were tested in a previously established bovine model of respiratory C. psittaci infection. Fifty animals were inoculated intrabronchially at the age of 6-8 weeks. Seven served as untreated controls, the others were assigned to seven treatment groups: (i) rifampicin, (ii) enrofloxacin, (iii) enrofloxacin + rifampicin, (iv) azithromycin, (v) azithromycin + rifampicin, (vi) erythromycin, and (vii) erythromycin + rifampicin. Treatment started 30 hours after inoculation and continued until 14 days after inoculation (dpi), when all animals were necropsied. The infection was successful in all animals and sufficient antibiotic levels were detected in blood plasma and tissue of the treated animals. Reisolation of the pathogen was achieved more often from untreated animals than from other groups. Nevertheless, pathogen detection by PCR was possible to the same extent in all animals and there were no significant differences between treated and untreated animals in terms of local (i.e., cell count and differentiation of BALF-cells) and systemic inflammation (i.e. white blood cells and concentration of acute phase protein LBP), clinical signs, and pathological findings at necropsy. Regardless of the reduced reisolation rate in treated animals, the treatment of experimentally induced respiratory C. psittaci infection with enrofloxacin, azithromycin or erythromycin alone or in combination with rifampicin was without obvious benefit for the host, since no significant differences in clinical and pathological findings or inflammatory parameters were detected and all animals recovered clinically within two weeks.
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Prohl A, Lohr M, Ostermann C, Liebler-Tenorio E, Berndt A, Schroedl W, Rothe M, Schubert E, Sachse K, Reinhold P. Evaluation of antimicrobial treatment in a bovine model of acute Chlamydia psittaci infection: tetracycline versus tetracycline plus rifampicin. Pathog Dis 2015; 73:1-12. [PMID: 25113145 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial treatment of chlamydial infections is known to be of limited efficacy. In this study, effects of doxycycline (D), usually the drug of choice, were compared with the combined therapy of doxycycline and rifampicin (R) in a bovine model of respiratory Chlamydia psittaci infection. After intrabronchial inoculation of the pathogen, 30 animals were assigned to five groups (n = 6 per group): untreated controls, monotherapy with D (5 mg kg(-1)day(-1) or 10 mg kg(-1)day(-1)), and combination therapy of D and R (600 mg day(-1)). Treatment continued until day 14 post inoculation (d.p.i.). Clinical signs, inflammatory markers, and pathological findings confirmed successful infection in all animals. Reisolation of the pathogen was possible in 4/6 untreated animals and in 4/12 animals treated with D alone until 4 d.p.i., but in none of the calves of the two D + R groups. Pathogen detection was possible in all animals without significant differences among groups. Severity of disease and time course of its resolution, assessed by clinical and pathological findings as well as inflammatory parameters, were not significantly different between untreated controls and calves receiving D alone or in combination with R. Regardless of the treatment regimen, all groups recovered clinically and cleared the infection within 2 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Prohl
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Lohr
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Carola Ostermann
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Liebler-Tenorio
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Angela Berndt
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Wieland Schroedl
- Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Veterinary Faculty at The University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Evelyn Schubert
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany OIE Reference Laboratory for Chlamydiosis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Konrad Sachse
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany OIE Reference Laboratory for Chlamydiosis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health), Jena, Germany
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Knittler MR, Berndt A, Böcker S, Dutow P, Hänel F, Heuer D, Kägebein D, Klos A, Koch S, Liebler-Tenorio E, Ostermann C, Reinhold P, Saluz HP, Schöfl G, Sehnert P, Sachse K. Chlamydia psittaci: New insights into genomic diversity, clinical pathology, host–pathogen interaction and anti-bacterial immunity. Int J Med Microbiol 2014; 304:877-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Heinrich ERE, KuKanich KS, Davis E, White BJ. Public health campaign to promote hand hygiene before meals in a college of veterinary medicine. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION 2014; 41:301-310. [PMID: 24981423 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.0913-124r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Veterinary students can be exposed to environmental infectious agents in school that may include zoonotic pathogens. Encouraging effective hand hygiene can minimize the spread of zoonoses and promote public health and the One Health concept among veterinary students. The purpose of this study was to determine if a campaign could improve hand hygiene among veterinary students at extracurricular meetings serving meals. Nine Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (KSU-CVM) extracurricular organizations participated in the study, sanitizer was provided at each meeting, and baseline hand-hygiene data were observed. A hand-hygiene opportunity was defined as any student observed to approach the buffet food line. Sanitizer use (yes/no) and gender (male/female) were recorded. Campaign interventions included a 3.5-minute educational video and a novel motivational poster. The video was presented to all first-year, second-year, and third-year veterinary students. Posters encouraging hand sanitization were displayed on doors and tables alongside sanitizers at each meeting. Observational hand-hygiene data were collected immediately after introduction of interventions and again 3 months later. Environmental sampling for presence of bacteria in and around meeting locations was also performed. Observed hand hygiene was lowest during baseline (11.0% ± 1.7), improved significantly post-intervention (48.8% ± 3.2), and remained improved at 3-month follow-up (33.5% ± 4.0). Females had higher probability of hand sanitizing (35.9% ± 2.2) than males (21.4% ± 2.4) (p<.01). Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 2/42 samples, and Salmonella spp. were isolated from 4/42 samples. A short-term public health campaign targeting veterinary students successfully improved hand hygiene before meals.
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Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Chlamydia psittaci in Captive Psittacines from Costa Rica. Vet Med Int 2013; 2013:142962. [PMID: 24163776 PMCID: PMC3791670 DOI: 10.1155/2013/142962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from 117 captive psittacine birds presented at veterinary clinics (88) and from shelters/rescue centers of wildlife (29) were collected to determine the prevalence of C. psittaci in captive birds in Costa Rica. Samples were collected during 2009 from a total of 19 different species of parrots, with Ara macao (33), Amazona autumnalis (24), Amazona ochrocephala (21), and Ara ararauna (8) being the most representative species sampled. C. psittaci was detected in four (3.4%) birds using molecular detection (PCR). The positive samples belonged to birds presented at veterinary clinics; three of them were Ara macao and one Amazona ochrocephala. Three birds were adults; all positive birds showed no symptoms of illness and lived in homes with other birds, two in San José and two in Heredia. Sequencing was used to confirm the PCR positive results, showing that two samples of C. psittaci belonged to genotype A, representing the first report of the presence of this genotype in Costa Rica. The detection of this bacterium in captive psittacine birds shows that there is a potential risk for people living or having contact with them and that there is a possibility of infecting other birds.
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Comparative analysis of Chlamydia psittaci genomes reveals the recent emergence of a pathogenic lineage with a broad host range. mBio 2013; 4:mBio.00604-12. [PMID: 23532978 PMCID: PMC3622922 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00604-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular bacterium. Interest in Chlamydia stems from its high degree of virulence as an intestinal and pulmonary pathogen across a broad range of animals, including humans. C. psittaci human pulmonary infections, referred to as psittacosis, can be life-threatening, which is why the organism was developed as a bioweapon in the 20th century and is listed as a CDC biothreat agent. One remarkable recent result from comparative genomics is the finding of frequent homologous recombination across the genome of the sexually transmitted and trachoma pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. We sought to determine if similar evolutionary dynamics occurred in C. psittaci. We analyzed 20 C. psittaci genomes from diverse strains representing the nine known serotypes of the organism as well as infections in a range of birds and mammals, including humans. Genome annotation revealed a core genome in all strains of 911 genes. Our analyses showed that C. psittaci has a history of frequently switching hosts and undergoing recombination more often than C. trachomatis. Evolutionary history reconstructions showed genome-wide homologous recombination and evidence of whole-plasmid exchange. Tracking the origins of recombinant segments revealed that some strains have imported DNA from as-yet-unsampled or -unsequenced C. psittaci lineages or other Chlamydiaceae species. Three ancestral populations of C. psittaci were predicted, explaining the current population structure. Molecular clock analysis found that certain strains are part of a clonal epidemic expansion likely introduced into North America by South American bird traders, suggesting that psittacosis is a recently emerged disease originating in New World parrots. Chlamydia psittaci is classified as a CDC biothreat agent based on its association with life-threatening lung disease, termed psittacosis, in humans. Because of the recent remarkable findings of frequent recombination across the genome of the human sexually transmitted and ocular trachoma pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, we sought to determine if similar evolutionary dynamics occur in C. psittaci. Twenty C. psittaci genomes were analyzed from diverse strains that may play a pathogenic role in human disease. Evolution of the strains revealed genome-wide recombination occurring at a higher rate than for C. trachomatis. Certain strains were discovered to be part of a recent epidemic clonal expansion originating in South America. These strains may have been introduced into the United States from South American bird traders, suggesting that psittacosis is a recently emerged disease originating in New World parrots. Our analyses indicate that C. psittaci strains have a history of frequently switching hosts and undergoing recombination.
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Risk exposures for human ornithosis in a poultry processing plant modified by use of personal protective equipment: an analytical outbreak study. Epidemiol Infect 2012. [PMID: 23176790 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268812002440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ornithosis outbreaks in poultry processing plants are well-described, but evidence for preventive measures is currently lacking. This study describes a case-control study into an outbreak of ornithosis at a poultry processing plant in the East of England, identified following three employees being admitted to hospital. Workers at the affected plant were recruited via their employer, with exposures assessed using a self-completed questionnaire. Cases were ascertained using serological methods or direct antigen detection in sputum. 63/225 (28%) staff participated, with 10% of participants showing evidence of recent infection. Exposure to the killing/defeathering and automated evisceration areas, and contact with viscera or blood were the main risk factors for infection. Personal protective equipment (goggles and FFP3 masks) reduced the effect of exposure to risk areas and to self-contamination with potentially infectious material. Our study provides some evidence of effectiveness for respiratory protective equipment in poultry processing plants where there is a known and current risk of ornithosis. Further studies are required to confirm this tentative finding, but in the meantime respiratory protective equipment is recommended as a precautionary measure in plants where outbreaks of ornithosis occur.
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Cheng YJ, Lin KY, Chen CC, Huang YL, Liu CE, Li SY. Zoonotic atypical pneumonia due to Chlamydophila psittaci: first reported psittacosis case in Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc 2012; 112:430-3. [PMID: 23927984 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2012.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human psittacosis caused by Chlamydophila psittaci is one of the most common zoonotic atypical pneumonias featuring pulmonary as well as extrapulmonary infections. Most of the cases involve avian contact history especially with psittacine birds. Herein we report a 44-year-old male patient displaying atypical pneumonia symptoms of intermittent fever, dry cough, chest pain, dyspnea, headache, hepatitis, and hyponatremia. He had two sick cockatiels, one of which had died a month previously. A microimmunofluorescence test was performed to check the serum antibody levels against Chlamydophila psittaci. The serum IgM titer showed positive titer of 1:256, 1:256, and 1:128 on Days 11, 23, and 43 after disease onset, respectively. His fever subsided soon and clinical symptoms improved after minocycline was administrated on Day 12. The psittacosis case was confirmed by history of psittacine bird contact, clinical symptoms, treatment response, and positive IgM titer. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a psittacosis case in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Cheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan
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Dickx V, Van Droogenbroeck C, Van Vaerenbergh B, Herman P, Braeckman L, Vanrompay D. Chlamydia Psittaci, Causative Agent of Avian Chlamydiosis and Human Psittacosis: Risk Assessment and Biosafety Recommendations for Laboratory use. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2012. [DOI: 10.1177/153567601201700206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Veerle Dickx
- Ghent University, Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
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Distinctive features between community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Chlamydophila psittaci and CAP due to Legionella pneumophila admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 31:2713-8. [PMID: 22538796 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-012-1618-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The spectrum of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Chlamydophila psittaci ranges from mild, self-limited CAP, to acute respiratory failure. We performed a retrospective study of 13 consecutive patients with CAP due to C. psittaci and 51 patients with legionellosis admitted in one intensive care unit (ICU) (1993-2011). As compared to patients with legionellosis, patients with psittacosis were younger (median age 48 [38-59] vs. 60 [50-71] years, p = 0.007), less frequently smokers (38 vs. 79 %, p < 0.001), with less chronic disease (15 vs. 57 %, p = 0.02), and longer duration of symptoms before admission (median 6 [5-13] vs. 5 [3-7] days, p = 0.038). They presented with lower Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (median 28 [19-38] vs. 39 [28-46], p = 0.04) and less extensive infiltrates on chest X-rays (median 2 [1-3] vs. 3 [3-4] lobes, p = 0.007). Bird exposure was mentioned in 100 % of psittacosis cases, as compared to 5.9 % of legionellosis cases (p < 0.0001). Extrapulmonary manifestations, biological features, and mortality (15.4 vs. 21.6 %, p = 0.62) were similar in both groups. In conclusion, severe psittacosis shares many features with severe legionellosis, including extrapulmonary manifestations, biological features, and outcome. Psittacosis is an important differential diagnosis for legionellosis, especially in cases of bird exposure, younger age, and more limited disease progression over the initial few days.
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Miyairi I, Laxton JD, Wang X, Obert CA, Arva Tatireddigari VRR, van Rooijen N, Hatch TP, Byrne GI. Chlamydia psittaci genetic variants differ in virulence by modulation of host immunity. J Infect Dis 2011; 204:654-63. [PMID: 21791668 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psittacosis is a zoonosis caused by Chlamydia psittaci and is characterized by severe pneumonia and systemic infection. We sought to determine the basis of the 1000-fold difference in lethal dose of 2 C. psittaci 6BC strains in mice. METHODS Genomes of the strains were sequenced. Mice were infected intraperitoneally and the growth kinetics, immune responses, and pathology were compared. RESULTS The 2 strains differed by the presence of a 7.5-kb plasmid in the attenuated strain and 7 nonsynonomous single-nucleotide polymorphisms between the chromosomes, including a serine/threonine protein kinase gene pkn5. The plasmid was cured from the attenuated strain, but it remained nonlethal. Strains did not differ in growth kinetics in vitro or in vivo. Infection with the attenuated strain led to influx of activated macrophages with relatively minor organ damage. In contrast, the virulent strain caused an influx of nonactivated macrophages, neutrophils, and significant end organ damage. Mice infected with the virulent strain survived challenge when coinfected with either the plasmid-positive or plasmid-negative attenuated strain, indicating that an active process elicited by the attenuated strain reduces inflammation and disease. CONCLUSIONS C. psittaci modulates virulence by alteration of host immunity, which is conferred by small differences in the chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isao Miyairi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
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García-Ordóñez MÁ, Blanco-González JI, Villanueva-Agero R, Pozo-Muñoz F. [Psitacosis outbreak in the northern region of Malaga, Spain]. Aten Primaria 2011; 44:e11-2. [PMID: 21640437 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Psittacosis outbreak after participation in a bird fair, Western France, December 2008. Epidemiol Infect 2011; 139:1637-41. [PMID: 21396150 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268811000409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2008, three hospitalized cases of suspected psittacosis infection were notified by respiratory disease clinicians from a local hospital to the Regional Epidemiology Unit of Pays de la Loire, France. They all had attended a bird fair. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among exhibitors and organizers to identify potential risk factors in relation to this fair. Environmental and veterinary investigations were implemented to trace potential sources of infection. We identified two confirmed, two probable and 44 possible cases among participants. The attack rate in exhibitors and organizers was 38% (33/86). The median incubation period was 11 days (range 6-22 days). Individuals located in two particular sectors of the showroom were found to be at double the risk of developing psittacosis (relative rate 2·1, 95% confidence interval 1·03-4·18) than those in other sectors. Pooled faecal samples of birds belonging to a possible case exhibitor tested positive for Chlamydiaceae by PCR. Ventilation conditions in the showroom were inadequate. This investigation allowed the formulation of recommendations to prevent psittacosis in bird exhibitions which are held weekly in France.
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Pannekoek Y, Dickx V, Beeckman DSA, Jolley KA, Keijzers WC, Vretou E, Maiden MCJ, Vanrompay D, van der Ende A. Multi locus sequence typing of Chlamydia reveals an association between Chlamydia psittaci genotypes and host species. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14179. [PMID: 21152037 PMCID: PMC2996290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia comprises a group of obligate intracellular bacterial parasites responsible for a variety of diseases in humans and animals, including several zoonoses. Chlamydia trachomatis causes diseases such as trachoma, urogenital infection and lymphogranuloma venereum with severe morbidity. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Chlamydia psittaci, causing zoonotic pneumonia in humans, is usually hosted by birds, while Chlamydia abortus, causing abortion and fetal death in mammals, including humans, is mainly hosted by goats and sheep. We used multi-locus sequence typing to asses the population structure of Chlamydia. In total, 132 Chlamydia isolates were analyzed, including 60 C. trachomatis, 18 C. pneumoniae, 16 C. abortus, 34 C. psittaci and one of each of C. pecorum, C. caviae, C. muridarum and C. felis. Cluster analyses utilizing the Neighbour-Joining algorithm with the maximum composite likelihood model of concatenated sequences of 7 housekeeping fragments showed that C. psittaci 84/2334 isolated from a parrot grouped together with the C. abortus isolates from goats and sheep. Cluster analyses of the individual alleles showed that in all instances C. psittaci 84/2334 formed one group with C. abortus. Moving 84/2334 from the C. psittaci group to the C. abortus group resulted in a significant increase in the number of fixed differences and elimination of the number of shared mutations between C. psittaci and C. abortus. C. psittaci M56 from a muskrat branched separately from the main group of C. psittaci isolates. C. psittaci genotypes appeared to be associated with host species. The phylogenetic tree of C. psittaci did not follow that of its host bird species, suggesting host species jumps. In conclusion, we report for the first time an association between C. psittaci genotypes with host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Pannekoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Dickx
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Delphine S. A. Beeckman
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Keith A. Jolley
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy C. Keijzers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Evangelia Vretou
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arie van der Ende
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Beeckman DSA, Rothwell L, Kaiser P, Vanrompay DCG. Differential cytokine expression in Chlamydophila psittaci genotype A-, B- or D-infected chicken macrophages after exposure to Escherichia coli O2:K1 LPS. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 34:812-820. [PMID: 20223261 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2009] [Revised: 03/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydophila (Cp.) psittaci and avian pathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli infections contribute to the respiratory disease complex observed in turkeys. Secondary infection with E. coli exacerbates Cp. psittaci pathogenicity and augments E. coli excretion. The innate immune response initiated by both pathogens in their avian host is unknown. We therefore determined the cytokine responses following Cp. psittaci infection and E. coli superinfection of avian monocytes/macrophages by examining gene transcripts of IL-1beta, IL-6, CXCLi2 (IL-8), CXCLi1 (K60), IL-10, IL-12alpha/beta, IL-18, TGF-beta4 and CCLi2 at 4h post-inoculation with different Cp. psittaci strains or 4h post-treatment with avian E. coli LPS of Cp. psittaci pre-infected HD11 cells. Cp. psittaci strains used were 84/55 and 92/1293 (highly virulent), CP3 (low virulent) and 84/2334 (phylogenetically intermediate between Cp. psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus). At 4h post chlamydial infection, an increased expression of IL-1beta and IL-6 as well as CXCLi2, CXCLi1 and CCLi2 was observed compared to levels in uninfected HD11 controls. This effect was less pronounced for the milder CP3 strain. The pro-inflammatory response of Cp. psittaci infected cells to E. coli LPS was significantly lowered compared to uninfected controls, especially when the cells were pre-infected with highly virulent Cp. psittaci strains. In both experiments, exceptionally high IL-10 and no TGF-beta4 responses were observed, and we propose that this could induce macrophage deactivation and NF-kappaB suppression. Consequently, pro-inflammatory and Th1-promoting responses to both the primary Cp. psittaci infection and E. coli would be inhibited, thus explaining the observed aggravated in vivo pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Sylvie Anne Beeckman
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Fraeyman A, Boel A, Van Vaerenbergh K, De Beenhouwer H. Atypical pneumonia due to Chlamydophila psittaci: 3 case reports and review of literature. Acta Clin Belg 2010; 65:192-6. [PMID: 20669788 DOI: 10.1179/acb.2010.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydophila psittaci is the causative agent of psittacosis or ornithosis. The disease is transmitted to men predominantly from birds. Most commonly noted symptoms are fever, headache and cough, but a number of other symptoms or complications may arise such as renal impairment, hepatitis or neurological symptoms. In this article 3 cases of psittacosis are presented, with a review of the literature with emphasis on laboratory diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fraeyman
- Klinisch Laboratorium afdeling microbiologie, OLV Ziekenhuis, Aalst, Belgium.
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