An investigation on the presence of Chlamydiaceae in Swedish dogs

Abstract

BackgroundBacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae cause a broad spectrum of diseases in a wide range of hosts, including man, other mammals, and birds. Upper respiratory and genital diseases are common clinical problems caused by Chlamydiaceae. Very little is known about chlamydial infections in dogs. Few clinical reports on natural disease in dogs describe mainly conjunctival and upper respiratory signs, and the role of Chlamydiaceae in genital disease is unclear. The present study aimed at studying the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae in healthy dogs and in dogs with genital or upper respiratory disease, including conjunctivitis.MethodsA real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydiaceae was used to detect any chlamydial species within this family. Swab samples from the conjunctiva and the mucosal membranes of the oropharynx, rectum and genital tract were taken from 79 dogs: 27 clinically healthy dogs, 25 dogs with clinical signs from the genital tract and 28 dogs with conjunctivitis. There were 52 female and 27 male dogs. From 7 of the male dogs, additional semen samples were analysed.ResultsNo Chlamydiaceae were detected from any dog.ConclusionsAlthough the number of dogs that was included is limited, the results suggest that cases of Chlamydiaceae in dogs probably are related to infection from other species, and that dogs in general do not harbour Chlamydiaceae. Bacteria belonging to the family Chlamydiaceae do not seem to be of major importance for genital or ocular disease in Swedish dogs.

Prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydiaceae in pet dogs in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

“…A research study using direct immuno-fluorescence (DIF) in Lithuania revealed high prevalence (61.9%) in diseased dogs with urogenital and/or conjunctival lesions (Liutkeviciene et al 2009). Nevertheless, an investigation in Sweden using real-time PCR analysis showed that no Chlamydiaceae were detected from any dog (Holst et al 2010). Serological studies also revealed various positive rates and up to 50% in clinically healthy dogs (Kocianova et al 1992;Liutkeviciene et al 2001;Sprague et al 2009).…”

Chlamydia in canine or feline coronary arteriosclerotic lesions

“…This lack of data could either be due to a low prevalence of canine chlamydial infections in this country or due to limited investigations on this animal species. Considering the data from other countries, Holst et al ., 2010 found no Chlamydia from the ocular or genital swabs of healthy Swedish dogs or those showing genital or ocular clinical signs, indicating either a low prevalence or absence of chlamydial infections in these animals [ 26 ]. However, there are previous reports of Chlamydia- associated disease in dogs.…”

Prevalence of Chlamydophila spp. and Canid herpesvirus-1 in Polish dogs

“…Studies based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been performed for Chlamydophila spp. only in Sweden [1] and for CHV-1 in Croatia [2]. However, similar studies have not been conducted in Central Europe.…”

“…Studies on canine chlamydiosis in Swedish kennels suggest that these infections are of little importance in terms of fertility and ocular disease since Chlamydiaceae bacteria have not been detected in any dog showing clinical signs [1]. However, contradictory results have also been reported by Lithuanian authors.…”