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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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De Meyst A, Aaziz R, Pex J, Braeckman L, Livingstone M, Longbottom D, Laroucau K, Vanrompay D. Prevalence of New and Established Avian Chlamydial Species in Humans and Their Psittacine Pet Birds in Belgium. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091758. [PMID: 36144360 PMCID: PMC9500992 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence and zoonotic transfer of four different avian Chlamydia spp. was assessed in an epidemiological study in a psittacine bird population and its owners. Fecal swabs from 84 pet birds and pharyngeal swabs from 22 bird owners were collected from 21 locations in Flanders. Samples were examined using established and novel PCR platforms combined with culture on PCR-positive samples. Chlamydiaceae DNA was detected in 33 of 84 (39.3%) birds. The predominant part of the avian infections could be attributed to C. psittaci (22 of 84; 26.2%), followed by C. avium (11 of 84; 13.1%). C. gallinacea and C. abortus were not detected in birds or humans. C. psittaci was the only species detected in pet bird owners (4 of 22; 18.2%), stressing its zoonotic importance. This study showed that C. psittaci and the more recently discovered novel avian species C. avium are undoubtedly present in the Flemish psittacine bird population. Our results justify additional research in a larger psittacine bird population and its owners, focusing on C. psittaci and C. avium. In the meantime, increased awareness among pet bird owners and the implementation of preventive measures in the pet bird industry is advised to limit the circulation of established and novel emerging avian chlamydial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne De Meyst
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-09-264-5972
| | - Rachid Aaziz
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, 94706 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Joachim Pex
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lutgart Braeckman
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Morag Livingstone
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Longbottom
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, 94706 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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