Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in some Wild and Pet Birds

Abstract

Chlamydophila psittaci is one of the most important, zoonotic pathogen of birds causing chlamydiosis. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of infection by Cp. psittaci and to determine the genotype in birds at potential risk of exposure to this pathogen. In total four species of wild birds (50 native and 40 migratory quails, 30 doves and 25 tree sparrows) and four species of pet birds, (20 Budgerigars,10 cockatiels, 3 finches, 5 love birds) were examined for the presense of Chlamydophila psittaci using impression smears stained with Giemsa stain, smears from yolk sacs were stained with Gimenez stain and PCR . The results were (80%-100%) , (85%-100%) and (80%-100%) in pet birds followed by wild birds (64%-85%) , (76%-95%) and (80%-90%), respectivelly The pathogencity of three isolates by intratracheal route with 10 6 TCID/ml in 15 days old chickens and quails was done and showed that the more pathogenic strain for chickens and quails was the pet birds strain. The observed clinical signs were respiratory signs, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea, While the pathological changes were congestion in liver, lung, spleen, and pericarditis while mild clinical and pathological changes were observed post infection by tree sparrows and migratory quails isolates. The partial ompA gene sequence of isolated Cp. psittaci strain was placed in genotype A of Cp. psittaci which had the highest identity (91.9-94%) with previously similar described strains of genotype A. Pet and wild birds were the major reservoir for Cp. psittaci which shed in their excreta and expose human and native birds to high zoonotic risk.