北京市及周边省份家禽鹦鹉热嗜性衣原体流行状况的调查

对北京市周边6省份怀疑感染鹦鹉热嗜性衣原体的鸡鸭血清样品374份、病料81份，分别使用IHA诊断试剂盒、ELISA试剂盒以及抗酸染色试剂和荧光抗体诊断试剂进行了检查，以评价北京市及其周边地区家禽鹦鹉热嗜性衣原体的流行性。结果，上述4种试剂检测出的阳性率依次为24．9％、77．9%、18．5%和38．2％；北京市10份SPF鸡血清的抗体全部为阳性；患病肉鸡、肉鸭气囊样品，蛋鸡输卵管样品的检出率较高。表明，北京市及其周边地区家禽已经感染了鹦鹉热嗜性衣原体，酶联免疫吸附法和荧光抗体染色法能分别提高抗体和抗原的检出率。     

种鸽鹦鹉热嗜衣原体免疫程序初步探讨

<正>鸽衣原体病(Dove chlamydiosis)是由鹦鹉热嗜衣原体(Chlamyophila psittaci,Cps)引起的的一种人畜共患病。临床主要表现严重的结膜炎、鼻炎和口腔炎,呼吸困难,腹泻,造成鸽子生长发育缓慢,消瘦。该病一旦发生造成鸽子的死淘率增高,给肉鸽、赛鸽业带来严重经济损失。因     

鹦鹉热嗜衣原体病例的诊断与治疗

1病例情况4月龄,雄性金头凯克鹦鹉,于2017年9月14日就诊,腹部增大,精神萎靡。主人在家尝试过给予鸽子药自行治疗1周,未见改善,遂来本院就诊。2 临床检查与诊断生病前体重130 g左右,就诊时150 g。明显腹围增大,下垂,精神状态不佳,虚弱。     

鹦鹉热嗜衣原体分子生物学检测方法的研究进展

<正>鹦鹉热嗜衣原体(Chlamydophila psittaci)为鹦鹉热(Psittacosis)即鸟疫(Ornithosis)的病原体;同时,它具有广泛的感染谱,不仅能够感染130多种鸟类、数十种哺乳动物,也可以感染人引起相应的各种疾病。各种动物或人由于接触感染C.psittaci的家畜或禽鸟类的分泌物、排     

动物鹦鹉热衣原体病流行情况及防治进展

鹦鹉热衣原体(Chlamydia psittaci)是衣原体属的一种专性细胞内寄生的重要人兽共患病原体,已知基因型多达17种。鹦鹉热衣原体可造成多种畜禽的生长减缓、呼吸道炎症、下痢和死亡等,给畜禽养殖造成经济损失和防控威胁,但临床上常为隐性感染,且诊断困难,研究对该病的有效防控十分重要。论文收集近年来鹦鹉热衣原体病相关研究数据发现,在流行情况方面,鹦鹉热衣原体遍布全球6大洲至少21个国家,阳性率可达0.34%～93.80%,在我国至少16个省份有相关报道;在防治方面,疫苗接种和早期诊断被认为是最佳防控方法,四环素类药物是临床治疗首选,以期为动物鹦鹉热衣原体病防控提供参考。     

鹦鹉热衣原体疫苗研究进展

文章叙述了鹦鹉热衣原体的生物特性以及感染的宿主范围;鹦鹉热衣原体减毒活疫苗温度敏感株的培育及致病机理的研究;灭活疫苗灭活条件的研究,最佳免疫量,不同免疫途径的研究和我国对绵羊和猪鹦鹉热衣原体灭活疫苗的研究;以及鹦鹉热衣原体主要外膜蛋白基因工程亚单位疫苗和禽衣原体DNA疫苗的研究情况。     

动物鹦鹉热衣原体疫苗研究现状

鹦鹉热衣原体为多种人畜共患病的病原体。衣原体免疫学机制研究表明其主要引发Th1细胞调节的细胞免疫和体液免疫。减毒活疫苗、灭活疫苗的使用在一定程度上控制了其发病率。基因工程疫苗,如重组亚单位苗、核酸疫苗、细茵载体苗等也都在深入研究中。同时,人们也在筛选特异性的抗原,构建各种疫苗载体及选择免疫佐剂和免疫途径等方面做了大量的工作。     

集约化养猪场嗜流产衣原体病流行状况的初步调查

本试验对北京郊区5个规模化猪场断奶仔猪、育成猪、育肥猪和怀孕母猪采集血清共507份,同时采集密切接触饲养人员、仔猪、育肥猪的喉头拭子、母猪阴道拭子及公猪的精液共183份。分别使用间接血凝诊断试剂盒、法国ELISA试剂盒检测抗体;利用直接荧光染色法检测抗原,包括166份猪喉头拭子、阴道拭子和精液以及17份饲养人员喉头拭子。结果发现间接血凝诊断试剂盒、ELISA试剂盒抗体阳性率分别为4.14%和2.17%;抗原平均阳性率为14.8%,其中精液阳性率达到37.5%,母猪阴道拭子阳性率为27.5%,饲养人员阳性率为23.5%。本试验证实北京郊区猪嗜流产衣原体在种公猪、母猪群和饲养员呈高流行趋势。同时研究结果显示,5个被调查的规模化猪场嗜流产衣原体抗体阳性率显著低于有报道的其他省市,这与间接血凝诊断试剂盒检测结果高于ELISA试剂有关。针对发现的问题,必须采取有效措施控制种公猪精液污染衣原体现象,阻断向母猪和饲养人员传播,以降低人兽共患病发生的风险。     

Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci Infection in Racing Pigeons and Pigeon Fanciers in Beijing,China

Over 3 million racing pigeons (Columba livia) are registered in Beijing City Center for gambling purposes. During 2008–2010, we evaluated the occurrence and prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in racing pigeons as well as the possible zoonotic transmission to pigeon fanciers in six districts of Beijing where pigeon races are particularly popular. C. psittaci‐specific serum antibody titres were obtained from 370 pigeons and 79 fanciers using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, 206 and 67 throat swabs were, respectively, collected from pigeons and fanciers and tested for the presence of chlamydial antigen using immunofluorescence. C. psittaci‐specific serum antibody was detected in 37 of 370 pigeons and 19 of 79 fanciers. Of 206 pigeon clinical specimens, 55 were positive for C. psittaci antigen, while 16 of 67 swabs from the pigeon fanciers were positive. Based on ompA sequence analysis, the genotype of several avian and human isolates was genotype B. Thus, both high‐titre C. psittaci‐specific antibody and C. psittaci‐specific antigen were found with relatively high frequency in the pigeon flocks as well as in the pigeon fanciers. Our study suggests that C. psittaci infection is prevalent among the racing pigeon population in Beijing. Moreover, detection of serum antibodies and antigen in pigeon fanciers suggests that exposure and possible zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci from racing pigeons to humans does occur. In view of the life‐threatening respiratory illness C. psittaci may cause in humans, regulatory public health measures, to prevent further spread of the pathogen in avian populations and possible transmission to exposed humans, are urgently needed.     

Chlamydophila psittaci DNA detection in the faeces of cage birds

In this study, we investigated the shedding of Chlamydophila psittaci in faecal samples from cage birds using PCR testing. A total of 47 faeces samples were collected from four different aviaries. Main symptoms determined after clinical investigation and owner histories of the birds showed that the birds had respiratory system problems changing from mild to severe. They also showed conjunctivitis, diarrhoea or no symptoms at all. DNA extractions from faeces were performed with the QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit. Following PCR with Cp. psittaci specific primers, 43 (91.5%) samples were determined to harbour-specific DNA. Only one bird from each aviary was found to be negative by PCR. As all the samples from birds showing clinical signs were PCR positive, these signs could be correlated to psittacosis in these birds. Cp. psittaci shedding in faeces was detected in all the aviaries. After restriction analysis of PCR amplicons with AluI enzyme, all the isolates showed the same RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) patterns with the control Cp. psittaci DNA. PCR following QIAamp DNA stool mini kit extraction of faecal samples was found to be a rapid, specific, sensitive, reproducible test, which did not need additional nested PCR of samples.     

Isolation and characterization of peacock Chlamydophila psittaci infection in China

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify suspected pathogens from peacocks and peacock farmers with severe pneumonia and to investigate its potential association with peacocks' pneumonia, caused by Chlamydophila psittaci infection. A clinical examination of infected peacocks identified birds with symptoms of anorexia, weight loss, yellowish droppings, airsacculitis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis, whereas the infected farmers showed high fever and respiratory distress. Immunofluorescence tests detected chlamydial antigens in pharyngeal swabs (12 of 20) and lung tissue samples (four of five) from peacocks. One of four swabs taken from farmers was also positive by the same test. Specific anti-chlamydia immunoglobulin G was detected in 16 of 20 peacocks and four of four peacock farmers. The isolated pathogen was able to grow in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryos and McCoy cell lines and was identified as Chlamydiae by immunofluorescence assay and PCR. Avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, and infectious bronchitis virus were eliminated as potential causative agents after pharyngeal swabs inoculated onto the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonate eggs failed to recover viable virus. PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism indicated the ompA gene from the isolate was similar to that of avian C. psittaci type B. Three-week-old SPF chickens challenged with the peacock isolate via intraperitoneal injection showed a typical pneumonia, airsacculitis, and splenitis. Subsequently, the inoculating strain was recovered from the lungs of challenged birds. This is the first report of C. psittaci infection in peacocks and peacock farmers.     

The detection of Chlamydophila psittaci genotype C infection in dogs

Reports of canine chlamydiosis are infrequent, possibly because the pathogen is rarely considered to be a cause of disease in dogs. This report presents details of Chlamydophila psittaci infection in four bitches with recurrent keratoconjunctivitis, severe respiratory distress and reduced litter size (up to 50% stillborn or non-viable puppies) in a small dog-breeding facility in Germany. Cell culture and immunofluorescence examination of conjunctival, nasal and pharyngeal swabs revealed chlamydial inclusions. PCR and sequencing of ompA amplification products confirmed the presence of Cp. psittaci genotype C. The zoonotic potential of the pathogen was illustrated by evidence of disease in two children that lived on the premises with the infected dogs. There was circumstantial evidence to suggest infection of dogs and humans may have followed the introduction of two canaries and a parrot to the household. The persistent nature of the chlamydial infection suggests that dogs may be reservoirs of Cp. psittaci, but this putative role and whether or not dogs shed the pathogen require further investigation.     

Seroprevalence of Antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci in Zoo Workers in Brazil

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.     

Exacerbation of Chlamydophila psittaci pathogenicity in turkeys superinfected by Escherichia coli

Both Chlamydophila psittaci and Escherichia coli infections are highly prevalent in Belgian turkeys and therefore they both might contribute to the respiratory disease complex observed in turkeys. C. psittaci can infect turkeys within the first week of age, even in the presence of maternal antibodies. However, the first C. psittaci outbreaks occur mostly at the age of 3 to 6 weeks, the period when also E. coli infections appear on the farms. Therefore, we examined in this study the pathogenicity of an E. coli superinfection on C. psittaci predisposed turkeys. Turkeys were infected with C. psittaci, E. coli or with C. psittaci followed by E. coli. Simulating the impact of an E. coli infection during the acute phase or the latent phase of a C. psittaci infection, turkeys received E. coli at 1 or 5 weeks post C. psittaci infection, respectively. E. coli superinfection during the acute phase of C. psittaci infection increased C. psittaci excretion and stimulated chlamydial replication in the respiratory tract resulting in exacerbated clinical disease. Interestingly, E. coli superinfection during the latent phase of C. psittaci infection induced chlamydial replication, leading to increased C. psittaci-specific antibody titres. In addition, chlamydial predisposition gave higher E. coli excretion compared with turkeys that had only been infected with E. coli. Overall, the present study clearly demonstrates the pathogenic interplay between C. psittaci and E. coli resulting in more severe respiratory disease.     

Development of a Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific and genotype-specific real-time PCR

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/microL 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.