Veterinarski arhiv, Vol. 83 No. 2, 2013.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Detection of Chlamydia psittaci genotypes in fecal samples of homing pigeons in Croatia.
Danijela Horvatek Tomić
orcid.org/0000-0003-0431-4878
; Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Karine Laroucau
; Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses), Maisons-Alfort, France
Estella Prukner-Radovčić
; Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
In this investigation fecal samples from a total of 232 homing pigeon lofts, belonging to both racing and breeding pigeons, were examined by specific real-time PCR to reveal the presence of Chlamydiaceae, and randomly collected Chlamydia positive samples were genotyped by two different molecular methods; C. psittaci-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA), in order to obtain relevant information about the prevalence of different genotypes, and to reveal the potential threat to humans that come into close contact with homing pigeons. Chlamydiosis in birds manifests as an acute, unapparent, sub-clinical, and chronic disease, but frequently also as an asymptomatic infection, which represents an additional danger for public health. Currently, nine different genotypes of C. psittaci have been generally accepted, based on PCR amplification, as well as an additional six provisional genotypes, based on DNA microarray. The predominant serotype/genotype in pigeons is B, but also other genotypes were discovered, such as A, C and D, as well as mixed infection. Out of 232 examined samples, 30 (12.9%) of them were PCR positive. DNA from six random positive fecal samples was further examined and the presence of C. psittaci was confirmed in all of them. According to RFLP genotyping, from 6 C. psittaci positive samples, 4 of them belonged to genotype B, and 2 strains remained untyped, due to the low concentration of DNA isolated. Regarding the MLVA typing, the pattern assigned as 22146334 could be described as a classical “pigeon” MLVA pattern. The presence of 12.9% homing pigeons positive to Chlamydiaceae by PCR clearly demonstrates the presence of zoonotic microorganisms and a possible risk for pigeon fanciers that come in close contact with the birds.
Ključne riječi
genotyping; Chlamydia psittaci; pigeons
Hrčak ID:
99849
URI
Datum izdavanja:
28.3.2013.
Posjeta: 1.397 *