Detection and characterization of Chlamydophila psittaci in asymptomatic feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in central Thailand

OBJECTIVE@#To detect and characterize Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) in asymptomatic feral pigeons in central Thailand.@*METHODS@#A total 814 swabs from the trachea and cloacae of 407 non-clinical feral pigeons in central Thailand were collected and tested for the presence of C. psittaci.@*RESULTS@#A 10.8% of feral pigeons in the sample group were positive as determined by nested PCR primer specific to C. psittaci. The outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene of positive samples exhibited amino acid identity of C. psittaci ranging from 71 to 100% and were grouped in genotype B. Exceptionally, BF1676-56 isolate was closely related to Chlamydia avium with 99% identification of the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This is the first report on C. psittaci isolated from asymptomatic feral pigeons in Thailand, which provides knowledge for the disease status in pigeon populations in Thailand.

Detection and characterization ofChlamydophila psittaci in asymptomatic feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in central Thailand

Objective:To detect and characterizeChlamydophila psittaci(C. psittaci) in asymptomatic feral pigeons in centralThailand.Methods:A total814 swabs from the trachea and cloacae of407 non-clinical feral pigeons in centralThailand were collected and tested for the presence ofC. psittaci.Results:A10.8% of feral pigeons in the sample group were positive as determined by nestedPCR primer specific toC. psittaci.The outer membrane proteinA(ompA) gene of positive samples exhibited amino acid identity ofC. psittaci ranging from71 to100% and were grouped in genotypeB.Exceptionally,BF1676-56 isolate was closely related toChlamydia avium with 99% identification of the16S ribosomal(r)RNA gene.Conclusions:This is the first report onC. psittaci isolated from asymptomatic feral pigeons inThailand, which provides knowledge for the disease status in pigeon populations inThailand.

Detection and characterization of chlamydophila psittaci in asymptomatic feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in central Thailand

Objective: To detect and characterize Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) in asymptomatic feral pigeons in central Thailand. Methods: A total 814 swabs from the trachea and cloacae of 407 non-clinical feral pigeons in central Thailand were collected and tested for the presence of C. psittaci. Results: A 10.8% of feral pigeons in the sample group were positive as determined by nested PCR primer specific to C. psittaci. The outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene of positive samples exhibited amino acid identity of C. psittaci ranging from 71 to 100% and were grouped in genotype B. Exceptionally, BF1676-56 isolate was closely related to Chlamydia avium with 99% identification of the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene. Conclusions: This is the first report on C. psittaci isolated from asymptomatic feral pigeons in Thailand, which provides knowledge for the disease status in pigeon populations in Thailand.

Seasonal abundance and potential of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mosquitoes at the nesting colony of ardeid birds, Thailand

Objective:To investigate the abundance and seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes, and to detect Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in these mosquitoes at the nesting colony of ardeid birds. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected bimonthly from July 2009 to May 2010 by Centers for Disease Control. Light traps and dry ice, as a source of CO2, were employed to attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were first identified, pooled into groups of upto 50 mosquitoes by species, and tested for JEV infection by viral isolation and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results:A total of 20 370 mosquitoes comprising 14 species in five genera were collected. The five most abundant mosquito species collected were Culex tritaeniorhynchus (95.46%), Culex vishnui (2.68%), Culex gelidus (0.72%), Anopheles peditaeniatus (0.58%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (0.22%). Mosquito peak densities were observed in July. All of 416 mosquito pools were negative for JEV. Conclusions: This study provides new information about mosquito species and status of JEV infection in mosquitoes in Thailand. Further study should be done to continue a close survey for the presence of this virus in the ardeid birds.

Seasonal abundance and potential of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in mosquitoes at the nesting colony of ardeid birds, Thailand

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the abundance and seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes, and to detect Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in these mosquitoes at the nesting colony of ardeid birds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mosquitoes were collected bimonthly from July 2009 to May 2010 by Centers for Disease Control. Light traps and dry ice, as a source of CO2, were employed to attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were first identified, pooled into groups of upto 50 mosquitoes by species, and tested for JEV infection by viral isolation and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 20 370 mosquitoes comprising 14 species in five genera were collected. The five most abundant mosquito species collected were Culex tritaeniorhynchus (95.46%), Culex vishnui (2.68%), Culex gelidus (0.72%), Anopheles peditaeniatus (0.58%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (0.22%). Mosquito peak densities were observed in July. All of 416 mosquito pools were negative for JEV.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study provides new information about mosquito species and status of JEV infection in mosquitoes in Thailand. Further study should be done to continue a close survey for the presence of this virus in the ardeid birds.</p>