Encephalomyelitis and serositis caused by Chlamydia pecorum in buffalo calves from Brazil.

Chlamydia pecorum causes subclinical infections in cattle, but sporadic, bovine encephalomyelitis cases have been reported in calves and documented in two instances in European buffalo. An outbreak of Chlamydia pecorum-induced encephalomyelitis and serositis occurred in 3-month-old buffalo calves from Brazil. Initially presenting with pelvic limb incoordination, the calves progressed to lateral recumbency, depression, and death. Necropsies of two calves revealed encephalomyelomalacia, fibrin deposition on the external surface of the pericardium (case 1) and pleural and pericardial fibrosis (case 2). Microscopically, a multifocal to coalescing, necrotizing, neutrophilic and lymphocytic meningoencephalomyelitis with fibrinoid vasculitis and thrombosis was present. Anti-Chlamydia antibody labeling was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Bacteriological examination yielded no pathogenic bacteria in the brain or lungs. Chlamydia pecorum was confirmed by PCR. This work describes the gross, histopathological, microbiological, and molecular findings in two cases from an outbreak of Chlamydia pecorum-induced disease in buffalo calves.

Genetic diversity of Chlamydia pecorum detected in sheep flocks from Mexico.

Chlamydia pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is associated with reproductive and systemic diseases in sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, and koalas. The main conditions include polyarthritis, conjunctivitis, enteritis, pneumonia, encephalomyelitis, orchitis, placentitis, and abortion. Even though there are several studies showing that C. pecorum infections are widely spread in the world, in Mexico there are no reports. During 2016, as part of a sheep restocking program in Mexico, sheep were imported from New Zealand. Briefly after their arrival in the herds in the State of Mexico, these sheep presented abortions during the last third of gestation. A total of 62 sheep vaginal swabs that had presented abortion from different municipalities of the State of Mexico were collected. Bacterial isolation was performed using L929 mouse fibroblasts, and molecular identification was achieved by 23S rRNA (Chlamydiaceae family) and ompA gene (species-specific) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, the 16S rRNA subunit and ompA gene were amplified and sequenced. Seven of 62 samples were positive for C. pecorum by bacterial isolation, 23S rRNA, and ompA gene real-time PCR. The 16S rRNA subunit and ompA gene amplicons were purified and the nucleotide sequence was determined in both directions. The consensus sequences homology search was performed using BLASTn analysis and showed a 100% of homology with the C. pecorum 16S rRNA subunit and 99% with the C. pecorum ompA gene. The population structure analyses using ompA gene demonstrated 15 genetic populations or clusters of 198 sequences from GenBank and our sequences were in a particular genetic structure corresponding to genotype "O." Herein, we describe the presence of C. pecorum in sheep imported from New Zealand into Mexico. Genetic analysis of the ompA gene showed that the isolates belong to genotype O and are related to strains isolated from sheep, cattle, and koalas.

Eco-epidemiología de las Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pneumoniae y Chlamydia pecorum: impacto en la salud pública / Eco Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia pecorum: impact on public healthpneumoniae by in vitro neutralization and microimmunofluorescence assays. Zentralbl Bakteriol 1996; 284(1):52-57.20. Phoon MC, Yee GW, Koh WP, Chow VT. Comparative Seroepidemiologic Analysis of Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection using Microimmunofluorescence, Enzyme Immunoassay and Neutr

ntroducción: Las infecciones zoonóticas son una creciente amenaza para la salud mundial. Varias especies de Chlamydia y sus implicancias son poco conocidas. Objetivo: Profundizar el conocimiento eco-epidemiológico de Chla-mydia en Córdoba.Materiales y métodos: Se implementaron técnicas serológicas y mo-leculares para la detección de Chlamydia en 314 individuos sanos, 44 con nexo epidemiológico asociado a Psitacosis, 505 aves silvestres, 288 aves cautivas, 30 reptiles y 30 equinos. Resultados: En humanos se detectó C. pneumoniae, C. pecorum, C. psittaci, y co-infecciones asociadas a mayor cuantificación bac-teriana. La prevalencia de anticuerpos en indivi-duos sanos fue de 14,3 % y en pacientes 68,2 %. Se evidenció una respuesta inmune exacerbada en trabajadores en contacto con reptiles infectados con C. pneumoniae. En aves cautivas se identificó C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. pecorum, C. galliná-cea y co-infecciones con mayor concentración de ADN. Las aves silvestres no excretaban Chlamydia. En equinos se halló C. pneumoniae, también en Su-ricata suricatta y Atelerix albiventris. El genotipo A se halló en humanos, reptiles, aves, mamíferos no humanos y B en equinos. Conclusiones: C. psittaci genotipo WC se detectó en aves y humanos; en menor frecuencia los genotipos E/B y A. Este hallazgo sugiere que los animales pueden representar una fuente subestimada de C. psittaci. El hallazgo de C. pneumoniae y C. pecorum en pacientes y en animales, plantea posibles ciclos zoonóticos y la necesidad de diagnóstico diferencial. Estos resultados avalaron el decreto de ley provincial de tenencia y comercialización de animales, promovido por la Secretaría de Am-biente de Córdoba

Introduction: Zoonotic infections are a growing threat to global health. Chlamydia and its implications are not well known.The aim of this study was to further the eco-epidemiological knowledge of Chlamydia in Cordoba.Materials and methods: Serological and molecular techniques was implemented for detection of Chlamydia in 314 healthy individuals, 44 individuals associated with Psittacosis, 505 wild birds, 288 captive birds, 30 reptiles and 30 equine.Results: In humans were detected C. pneumoniae, C. pecorum, C. psittaci and co-infections associated with increased bacterial quantification.The prevalence of antibodies in healthy individuals was 14.3% and 68.2% patients. Exacerbated immune response was detected in workers with contact infected with C. pneumoniae evidenced reptiles.In captive birds we detected C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. pecorum, C. gallinácea and co-infections with the highest concentration of DNA. Wild birds did not excrete Chlamydia.In horses we found C. pneumoniae, also in Suricata suricatta and Atelerix albiventris. The genotype was found in humans, reptiles, birds, mammals and non-human equine B.Conclusions: C. psittaci WC genotype was detected in birds and humans; less frequently genotypes E/B and A. This finding suggests that animals can be a source of C. psittaci underestimated.The discovery of C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum in patients and animals raises potential zoonotic cycles and the need for differential diagnosis.These results endorsed the decree of provincial law to possess and marketing of animals, promoted by Secretaría de Ambiente de Córdoba