Summary Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen associated primarily with avian chlamydiosis. New chlamydial agents with suspected zoonotic potential were recently detected from domestic poultry in Germany and France indicating that the spectrum of Chlamydiaceae encountered in birds is not confined to a single chlamydial species. For further characterization, a specific real‐time PCR targeting the conserved 16S rRNA gene was developed and validated for a specific detection of these atypical Chlamydiaceae. In order to address the epidemiological importance of the new chlamydial agents and their distribution, Chlamydiaceae‐positive chicken samples collected from flocks from five different countries were examined. The results confirmed that C. psittaci is not the predominant chlamydial species among chickens examined and suggested that the new chlamydial agents could putatively be widespread in poultry flocks (France, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia and China at least) justifying their systematic investigation when poultry samples are submitted to laboratories for avian chlamydiosis diagnosis. Besides, 16S rRNA‐based dendrogram, including sequences from both isolates of the new chlamydial agents or positive samples as well as representative sequences from species belonging to the order Chlamydiales, showed the new chlamydial agents to form a distinct line of descent separated from those of other chlamydial species, but clearly grouped within the family Chlamydiaceae. Finally, the phylogenetic tree inferred from the multi‐locus sequence typing based on four housekeeping fragments (gatA, gidA, enoA and hflX) and the ompA‐based dendrogram showed an almost identical topology of the new chlamydial agents with that recovered by 16S rRNA‐based dendrogram. Interestingly, partial ompA gene sequences displayed considerable diversity among isolates.

No abstract

N atural infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in domestic animals living in infected households have been reported (1). Because of their increased popularity as a pet (2), domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) pose a high risk for transmitting anthropozoonotic infections. A recent study in Spain showed that natural SARS-CoV-2 infections can occur in ferrets kept as working animals for rabbit hunting, especially if a high viral circulation is present in the human population (3). Further, ferrets are common laboratory animal models and, at least in experimental conditions, have been shown to be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and likely to transmit the virus to other ferrets without apparent clinical signs (4). The StudyOn November 20, 2020, a 5-year-old neutered male domestic ferret had signs of acute gastroenteritis, including apathy, anorexia, vomiting, and profuse mucous diarrhea. Another ferret in the same household appeared healthy. Because the ferret's condition did not improve, the owner took it to a veterinary hospital for clinical examination on November 23. The ferret was lethargic and, on the basis of skin turgor, was >5% dehydrated with low body temperature (36.4°C, reference range 37.8-40°C) and slow heart rate (180 beats/min, reference 200-400 beats/min). The body condition of the ferret was good, with a bodyweight of 1.3 kg. Several hematology and serum biochemistry results were elevated: red blood cell count (12.36 × 10 6 /µL, reference 7.01-9.65 × 10 6 /µL), hemoglobin concentration (21.2 g/dL, reference 12.2-16.5 g/dL), and hematocrit (0.57%, reference 0.36%-0.48%); blood urea nitrogen (>129.94 mg/dL, reference 18-32 mg/ dL), hyperproteinemia (8.5 g/dL, reference 4.5-6.2 g/ dL), hyperglobulinemia (4.4 g/dL, reference 2.8-3.6 g/dL), and borderline hyperalbuminemia (4.0 g/ dL, reference 2.5-4.0 g/dL) were consistent with dehydration and possible infection. The results of all other hematologic and biochemical values were within reference ranges. Whole-body radiographs (Appendix Figure, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/EID/ article/27/9/21-0774-App1.pdf) showed splenomegaly and gas accumulation in intestinal loops. Interstitial and alveolar patterns of cranial lung lobes were present, indicating possible lobar pneumonia. The ferret was hospitalized and initially given fl uid therapy, amoxicillin, esomeprazole, maropitant, and dexamethasone. Three days later, the clinical status of the ferret improved, hematologic and biochemical values normalized, and the ferret was scheduled for discharge. However, on the same day, the owner informed the veterinary hospital of having positive results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA tested on November 24, after 9 days of malaise. Additional rectal and oropharyngeal swab specimens and blood samples were taken from the ferret for further diagnostic procedures, and the ferret was discharged from the hospital and put into isolation at the owner's home. Samples were not taken from the other pet ferret at the residence, but the rest of househo...

Fifteen infectious bronchitis viruses (IBV) isolated from broiler and broiler breeder flocks in Slovenia between 1990 and 2005 were molecularly characterised. IBV strains were divided into four genotypes by the analysis of the S1 gene region. Four strains belonged to the Massachusetts genotype, one strain was placed into the QX genotype, one strain formed a cluster together with the B1648 strain and nine strains were classified into the 624/I genotype. Nine Slovenian strains of the 624/I genotype formed two subgroups independently of the time of isolation and the geographical origin. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial N gene sequences revealed lower sequence variability and different clustering of the Slovenian IBV. Fourteen strains were grouped together with the strains H120 and D1466. One strain formed a cluster with the strain 793/B.

No abstract

Mycoplasma synoviae and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are 2 avian pathogens that cause modulation in expression of a variety of cytokine and chemokine genes in chickens. However, there is limited data about gene modulation after coinfection with these 2 pathogens and even less data about gene modulation after infection of chicken embryos. In this study, the effect of M. synoviae type strain WVU 1853 and lentogenic LaSota vaccine strain of NDV infection on cytokine and chemokine gene expression in chicken embryos was analyzed in the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, and thymus by using quantitative real-time PCR. Three types of infection were performed; infection with M. synoviae on d 10, infection with NDV on d 17; and consecutive infection with both pathogens, where M. synoviae was inoculated on d 10 and NDV on d 17. Thus, simulation of consecutive infection that may occur after NDV infection of the M. synoviae-infected host was performed. Mycoplasma synoviae infection of embryos resulted in intensive upregulation of cytokine and chemokine genes, including interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-16, IL-18, MIP-1β (CCL4), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), XCL1, and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α factor (LITAF), with different expression profiles in the 4 organs. Inoculation of lentogenic NDV significantly upregulated IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-16 genes in spleen and IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-16, IL-21, XCL1, and MIP-1β (CCL4) genes in the thymus, but to a lesser extent than M. synoviae. However, no genes were upregulated by NDV in the liver and bursa of Fabricius. Overall effect of NDV inoculation, regarding the number of modulated cytokine and chemokine genes and the extent of expression, was lower than M. synoviae. When NDV was introduced after on-going M. synoviae infection, most M. synoviae-induced cytokine and chemokine genes were significantly downregulated. This study provides the first evidence in chicken embryos that consecutive infection with NDV could suppress expression of cytokine and chemokine genes being significantly upregulated by the previous M. synoviae infection.

The causative agent of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) was identified as fowl adenovirus (FAdV) type 8b, a member of the Fowl adenovirus E species, based on PCR results of adenoviral polymerase and the hexon gene in an outbreak of acute mortality that affected a broiler flock of 12,000 animals. In two waves of elevated mortality rate, a total of 264 chickens were found dead. Affected birds showed ruffled feathers, depression, watery droppings and limping. The most common pathological lesions seen on necropsy were pale, swollen and friable livers. On histological examination, acute hepatitis characterized by necrosis of hepatocytes, with large basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies, were observed. In addition, infectious bursal disease virus and infectious bronchitis virus were detected in the same flock

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was detected by real-time PCR in cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples taken from 74 feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) that were caught at various locations in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. PiCV infections were detected in the majority of the tested birds. The highest (74.3%) detection rate was observed in the cloacal swabs and the lowest (31.1%) in serum samples. PiCV DNA was more readily detected in the cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples of birds younger than 1 yr. Molecular analysis of partial open reading frame V1 sequences showed that PiCV strains detected in feral pigeons share high nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities with PiCV strains detected in ornamental, racing, meat, and feral pigeons.