Seroprevalence and genotype of Chlamydia in pet parrots in China

Abstract

Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds in China, and can harbour Chlamydia which has significance for human and animal health. We investigated, by indirect haemagglutination assay, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia infection in four species of parrots, namely budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) that were collected from Weifang and Beijing cities, North China and explored the association between potential risk factors and chlamydial seropositivity. We further determined the genotype of Chlamydia in 21 fresh faecal samples based on the ompA sequence by reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. Of the 311 parrots examined, 35·37% (95% confidence interval 30·06-40·68) were seropositive, and species, gender, age, season and geographical location were identified as risk factors. Two PCR-positive samples represented Chlamydia psittaci genotype A. The occurrence of C. psittaci genotype A in the droppings of two pet parrots in China suggests potential environmental contamination with Chlamydiaceae and may raise a public health concern.

Prevalence and genotype of Chlamydia psittaci in faecal samples of birds from zoos and pet markets in Kunming, Yunnan, China

“…Our results reveal a high prevalence of genotype A of C. psittaci in the Kunming region, supporting the conclusion that the C. psittaci genotype A was the major genotype associated with parrots (Zhang et al, 2015). In particular, previous studies reported an outbreak of psittacosis due to the C. psittaci genotype A in humans and birds, indicating that C. psittaci genotype A may be a strain capable of bird-tohuman transmission (Andersen, 1991;Vanrompay et al, 1997;Heddema et al, 2006).…”

“…Later, the same group reported a 10.8% infection rate of C. psittaci in pet birds by the indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA) in Gansu Province (Cong et al, 2014). A recent study of C. psittaci infection among pet parrots (Zhang et al, 2015). In addition, compared with the data of C. psittaci infection in other countries, the infection rate of 19.9% observed in psittacine birds in our study was higher than that in the Netherlands (7.9%), but lower than that of 22.9% in Japan (Tanaka et al, 2005;Heddema et al, 2006).…”

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors ofChlamydiaInfection in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in China

“…In the present study, Chlamydia seroprevalence in juvenile rabbits (19.83%) was higher than that in adult rabbits (15.18%), but the differences were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05), which was consistent with the previous study [ 14 ]. And the reason why juveniles were more susceptible than adults and subadults may be that the juveniles had lower immunity compared with adults.…”

“…Antibodies to Chlamydia were tested by indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) using a commercially marketed kit (Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China). The procedures are according to the manufacturer's instructions and previous descriptions [ 13 , 14 ]. The IHA kit was performed following the standard protocol recommended by Chinese Center for Animal Diseases Prevention and Control, and the sensitivity and specificity of the test are 100% and 95%, respectively [ 13 ].…”

The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) ofChlamydophila psittaciIs Involved in the Host Inflammatory Response by Activating the JNK/ERK Signaling Pathway

“…Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds in China and can harbour Chlamydia which has significance for human and animal health. The occurrence of C. psittaci in China gives rise to potential environmental contamination with Chlamydiaceae and a public health concern [ 5 ]. C. psittaci exhibits a biphasic developmental cycle and replicates in vacuoles in the cell cytoplasm of eukaryotes to form inclusion bodies [ 6 ].…”