Seroprevalence of Antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci in Zoo Workers in Brazil

Abstract

To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci 364 serum samples were collected from veterinarians, biologists, animal scientists, veterinary students, animal keepers and others employees in 20 zoos, and from veterinary practitioners in 10 Brazilian states. Subjects ranged from 15 to 64 years of age, with 268 (74%) males and 96 (26%) females. Chlamydial antibodies were determined by the complement fixation test (CFT) and specific anti-C. psittaci IgG antibodies were determined by the microimmunoflurescence (MIF) test. Complement fixation test showed 23.9% (87/364) and MIF test showed 4.7% (17/364) positive serum samples. Titres ranged from 16 to 256 in both assays, demonstrating evidence of recent or current infection. Although chlamydial antibodies were detected in workers of seventeen zoos, MIF test only detected specific C. psittaci antibodies in seven of them. Previous psittacosis infection was suspected in eight workers of two zoos, five of whom reported having pneumonia, while employed at the zoos. However, diagnosis was not established in any of these cases in the past. Results indicated the occurrence of infection and previous contact of Brazilian zoo workers with C. psittaci, as well as the zoonotic potential of psittacosis in this risk population. Other studies are necessary to evaluate the risk factors of infection in this population. This seroepidemiological survey confirmed the need to adopt preventive measures to control avian chlamydiosis and protect the health of zoo workers in the country.

First Report of Chlamydiaceae Seroprevalence in Tibetan Pigs in Tibet, China

“…C hlamydiaceae, obligate intracellular bacteria, are the etiological agents of chlamydiosis and are responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases in animals and humans (Raso et al 2010, Rohde et al 2010, Schautteet and Vanrompay 2011. Four Chlamydiaceae species have been isolated from pigs: Chlamydia suis, Chlamydophila psittaci, Chlamydophila abortus, and Chlamydophila pecorum (Pantchev et al 2010, Rohde et al 2010, Schautteet and Vanrompay 2011, and infections with these agents are usually associated with pneumonia (Reinhold et al 2008), severe dyspnea (Sachse et al 2004), conjunctivitis (Becker et al 2007), arthritis, and necrotizing enteritis in pigs.…”

Zoonoses in Veterinary Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Concerning the animal species associated to infections by Poxviridae virus, ruminants were considered the main source of these agents [61–63], though one student became infected with Orthopoxvirus after being scratched by a cat [64]. Two of the articles that report cases of psittacosis associate this disease to the exposure to birds [33, 34], whereas student’s cases of dermatophytosis were related to contact with cats [69] and an infected horse [70]. In the studies which report the animal species involved in each zoonosis, transmission through direct contact prevails, although indirect infection through contaminated equipment is also described for cryptosporidiosis [50] and dermathopytosis [69].…”

Diagnóstico imuno-histoquímico e caracterização anatomopatológica de clamidiose em psitacídeos

“…A clamidiose é considerada uma importante doença ocupacional e vá-rios estudos apontam sorologia positiva em funcionários de zoológicos e criatórios de aves (Heddema et al 2006, Vanrompay et al 2007, Harkinezhad et al 2009, Raso et al 2010. No surto descrito neste estudo, várias pessoas que entraram em contato com as caturritas, adoecerem.…”

“…Esse agente já foi detectado em mais de 460 espécies de aves e os psitacídeos são os mais acometidos (Kaleta & Taday 2003). Em humanos C. psittaci causa a clamidiose, uma das principais zoonoses de origem aviária (Heddema et al 2006, Vanrompay et al 2007, Petrovay & Balla 2008, Harkinezhad et al 2009, Raso et al 2010.…”