Open AccessDetection of Chlamydiaceae in Swiss wild birds sampled at a bird rehabilitation centre
Author(s) -
Stalder Sandro,
Marti Hanna,
Borel Nicole,
Mattmann Prisca,
Vogler Barbara,
Wolfrum Nina,
Albini Sarah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary record open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.504
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2052-6113
pISSN - 2399-2050
DOI - 10.1136/vetreco-2020-000437
Subject(s) - chlamydophila , chlamydia psittaci , psittacosis , biology , zoology , streptopelia , chlamydiaceae , zoonosis , veterinary medicine , anseriformes , kestrel , genotyping , chlamydia , dove , virology , ecology , genotype , medicine , genetics , political science , gene , law , predation
Background Annually, 800–1500 wild birds are admitted to the rehabilitation centre of the Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach, Lucerne, Switzerland. The workers of the centre come in close contact with the avian patients and might therefore be exposed to zoonotic agents shed by these birds, such as Chlamydia psittaci . Methods In the present study, 91 choanal, 91 cloacal and 267 faecal swabs from 339 wild birds of 42 species were investigated using a stepwise diagnostic approach. Results Chlamydiaceae were detected in 0.9 per cent (0.3–2.6 per cent) of birds (n=3), all of them members of the Columbidae family. The Chlamydiaceae species of two of these birds (one Eurasian collared dove, one fancy pigeon) were identified as C psittaci types B and E by PCR and outer membrane protein A genotyping. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that zoonotic transmission of Chlamydiaceae is very unlikely for songbird and waterfowl species tested herein, while pigeons might pose a risk to workers at rehabilitation centres.