No abstract

Twenty-one avian Chlamydophila psittaci isolates from different European countries were characterized using ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism, ompA sequencing, and major outer membrane protein serotyping. Results reveal the presence of a new genotype, E/B, in several European countries and stress the need for a discriminatory rapid genotyping method.

Chlamydophila psittaci causes respiratory disease in poultry and can be transmitted to humans. We conducted a C. psittaci zoonotic risk assessment study of a chicken and turkey slaughterhouse. Eighty-five percent of the slaughtered chicken flocks tested positive by PCR and culture. Genotype D was discovered. Fifty-seven percent of the slaughtered turkey flocks tested positive by PCR and culture. Genotype D was present. For the chicken slaughterhouse employees, 7.5% and 6% tested positive for C. psittaci by PCR and culture, respectively. In the turkey slaughterhouse, 87% and 61% of the employees tested positive by PCR and culture, respectively. All genotyped human samples contained genotype D. Using stationary bioaerosol monitoring by means of an MAS-100 ecosampler and ChlamyTrap collection medium, chlamydial DNA, and viable organisms were detected in both the chicken and turkey slaughterhouses. Positive air samples were most frequently found in the animal reception area and evisceration room. Zoonotic transmissions were very common, especially from processed turkeys. Accurate diagnostic monitoring and reporting of C. psittaci infections should be promoted in poultry workers.

-A Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific real-time PCR targeting the rDNA ribosomal spacer was developed as well as a genotype-specific real-time PCR targeting the Cp. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene. The SYBR Green-based species-specific real-time PCR detected Cp. psittaci genotypes A to F, and the recently discovered E/B genotype. The genotype-specific real-time PCR could easily distinguish genotypes C, D, F by use of TaqMan probes. Genotypes A, B and E could not be distinguished from each other by simply using TaqMan probes. For this purpose, non-fluorescent competitor oligonucleotides, had to be used next to the TaqMan probes. Genotype E/B could only be detected by use of a minor groove binder (MGB) probe. Both real-time PCR assays allowed reproducible, sensitive (10 rDNA or ompA copies/µL DNA extract) and specific detection of Cp. psittaci DNA. The genotype-specific real-time PCR was compared to ompA sequencing and ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using five Cp. psittaci field isolates (99, 61/8, 7344/2, 8615/1 and 7778B15) each consisting of two different genotypes. The currently developed real-time PCR assays were used in a case study on a veterinary school and a turkey farm. In the veterinary school, Cp. psittaci genotypes D, E/B and F infection were detected in all five groups of turkeys, and one veterinarian who was taking care of all these turkeys. On the turkey farm, the presence of two Cp. psittaci genotype B infection waves was demonstrated in one randomly selected turkey, the first wave at the age of 6 weeks, and the second at the age of 12 weeks.

BackgroundA significant number of studies on pig farms and wild boars worldwide, demonstrate the endemic presence of Chlamydia suis in pigs. However, the zoonotic potential of this pathogen, phylogenetically closely related to Chlamydia trachomatis, is still uninvestigated. Therefore, this study aims to examine the zoonotic transmission in a Belgian pig abattoir.MethodsPresence of Chlamydia suis in pigs, contact surfaces, air and employees was assessed using a Chlamydia suis specific real-time PCR and culture. Furthermore, Chlamydia suis isolates were tested for the presence of the tet(C) gene.ResultsChlamydia suis bacteria could be demonstrated in samples from pigs, the air and contact surfaces. Moreover, eye swabs of two employees were positive for Chlamydia suis by both PCR and culture. The tet(C) gene was absent in both human Chlamydia suis isolates and no clinical signs were reported.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the need for further epidemiological and clinical research to elucidate the significance of human ocular Chlamydia suis infections.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0560-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.