ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to analyse the occurrence of chlamydiae in several mammalian host species. Clinical samples that previously tested positive in a Chlamydiaceae-specific real-time PCR were retested using six species-specific real-time PCR assays to identify the chlamydial species involved. Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus was the agent most frequently found in cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs. Detection in cattle of Cp. psittaci (11% of samples) and Chlamydia (C.) suis (9%), as well as Cp. psittaci in a goat sample was somewhat unexpected. DNA of two different chlamydiae was identified in 56 (12.7%) of 440 samples tested. Cp. felis was the predominant species found in cats, while in guinea pigs and rabbits only Cp. caviae was detected. Interestingly, the latter two pathogens were also identified in samples from dogs. The data show that mixed chlamydial infections are not rare and suggest an extended host range of individual species.
Subject(s)
Chlamydia Infections/veterinary , Chlamydia/isolation & purification , Chlamydophila Infections/veterinary , Chlamydophila/isolation & purification , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Animals , Cats , Cattle , Chlamydia/classification , Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology , Chlamydia Infections/microbiology , Chlamydophila/classification , Chlamydophila Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydophila Infections/epidemiology , Chlamydophila Infections/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , Dogs , Goats , Guinea Pigs , Horses , Host Specificity , Rabbits , Sensitivity and Specificity , Sheep , Species Specificity , SwineABSTRACT
Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus are the causative agents of avian chlamydiosis (psittacosis) and ovine enzootic abortion, respectively. Both pathogens are known to possess zoonotic potential. Due to their close genetic relatedness, direct and rapid species identification is difficult. In the present study, new real-time PCR assays are reported for both species. The tests are based on highly specific probes targeting the ompA gene region and were conducted as duplex PCRs including an internal amplification control. The Cp. psittaci assay successfully passed a proficiency test at national level. Examination of field samples revealed Cp. psittaci as the dominating species in birds, but also Cp. abortus in a few psittacines. Real-time PCR assays for species-specific detection of Cp. psittaci and Cp. abortus are suited for routine diagnosis, which renders them important tools for the recognition of outbreaks of psittacosis and ovine enzootic abortion.