Characterisation of Chlamydia pneumoniae and other novel chlamydial infections in captive snakes

Taylor-Brown, Alyce; Rüegg, Simon R.; Borel, Nicole

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.04.021

Cited by 27 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This finding is in concordance with our results from a previous metagenomic study, where the most abundant nonmetazoan sequences in fecal material of Daubenton's bats were members of the bacterial genera Leuconostoc, Enterobacter, Lactobacillus, and Chlamydia (13). However, in this more detailed study, we noticed that, most often, the best BLAST match for group 1 sequences was uncultured Chlamydiales from snakes (genotype 4), which shares 96.9% identity with C. pneumoniae (15). Similarly, according to the sequence analysis of the products from 23S rRNA PCR, for 16 sequences, the best BLAST match was C. pneumoniae, but the identity was below 90%.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Group 1 ("Chlamydiaceae-like") contained 18 sequences (28.1%), and the best BLAST hits within this group were with sequences from uncultured Chlamydiales from snake (genotype 4 [GenBank accession number KT012690], with a sequence identity of 92 to 96% and an average sequence identity of 95%) (15) and with a sequence from Chlamydia pecorum (strain P787, isolated from synovial fluid of a sheep with polyarthritis [GenBank accession number NR_121750], with a sequence identity of 86 to 96% and an average sequence identity of 93%) (16). Group 2 ("Rhabdochlamydiaceae-like") contained 39 sequences (60.9%), and they were closely related to "Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis" of the Rhabdochlamydiaceae family, as shown by BLAST analysis (sequence identity of 90 to 99%; average, 96%).…”

Section: Bat Droppings (I) 16smentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Evidence of Chlamydia-Like Organisms in the Feces of Myotis daubentonii Bats

Hokynar

Vesterinen

Lilley

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs) are recently identified members of the Chlamydiales order. CLOs share intracellular lifestyles and biphasic developmental cycles, and they have been detected in environmental samples as well as in various hosts such as amoebae and arthropods. In this study, we screened bat feces for the presence of CLOs by molecular analysis. Using pan-Chlamydiales PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, Chlamydiales DNA was detected in 54% of the specimens. PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes were used to classify positive specimens and infer their phylogenetic relationships. Most sequences matched best with Rhabdochlamydia species or uncultured Chlamydia sequences identified in ticks. Another set of sequences matched best with sequences of the Chlamydia genus or uncultured Chlamydiales from snakes. To gain evidence of whether CLOs in bat feces are merely diet borne, we analyzed insects trapped from the same location where the bats foraged. Interestingly, the CLO sequences resembling Rhabdochlamydia spp. were detected in insect material as well, but the other set of CLO sequences was not, suggesting that this set might not originate from prey. Thus, bats represent another potential host for Chlamydiales and could harbor novel, previously unidentified members of this order. IMPORTANCE Several pathogenic viruses are known to colonize bats, and recent analyses indicate that bats are also reservoir hosts for bacterial genera. Chlamydialike organisms (CLOs) have been detected in several animal species. CLOs have high 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Chlamydiaceae and exhibit similar intracellular lifestyles and biphasic developmental cycles. Our study describes the frequent occurrence of CLO DNA in bat feces, suggesting an expanding host species spectrum for the Chlamydiales. As bats can acquire various infectious agents through their diet, prey insects were also studied. We identified CLO sequences in bats that matched best with sequences in prey insects but also CLO sequences not detected in prey insects. This suggests that a portion of CLO DNA present in bat feces is not prey borne. Furthermore, some sequences from bat droppings not originating from their diet might well represent novel, previously unidentified members of the Chlamydiales order.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Bat Droppings (I) 16smentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Evidence of Chlamydia-Like Organisms in the Feces of Myotis daubentonii Bats

Hokynar

Vesterinen

Lilley

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Chlamydia sanzinia is most closely related to C. pneumoniae (LPCoLN strain), with an average nucleotide identity of 76.9 %, in agreement with the 16S rRNA sequence identity previously described for this putative novel species [11]. In our phylogenetic tree construction, this taxon shares the same minor clade with C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum , within a major clade comprised of former “ Chlamydophila ” spp.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Even though this is the best-understood family in the phylum, two new species, and one Candidatus species, in the genus Chlamydia , were recently described from birds [5, 6], highlighting how little we still know about the full diversity of these obligate intracellular pathogens. Aside from human and mammalian hosts [7], chlamydiosis has been reported in both free-ranging and captive reptilian hosts including several snake species, turtles, tortoises and crocodiles, among others [8–11]. The most common species found in these hosts to date is Chlamydia pneumoniae , however, a recent study also revealed 16S rRNA sequences corresponding to potentially novel Chlamydia species [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aside from human and mammalian hosts [7], chlamydiosis has been reported in both free-ranging and captive reptilian hosts including several snake species, turtles, tortoises and crocodiles, among others [8–11]. The most common species found in these hosts to date is Chlamydia pneumoniae , however, a recent study also revealed 16S rRNA sequences corresponding to potentially novel Chlamydia species [11]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Culture-independent genomic characterisation of Candidatus Chlamydia sanzinia, a novel uncultivated bacterium infecting snakes

et al. 2016

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BackgroundRecent molecular studies have revealed considerably more diversity in the phylum Chlamydiae than was previously thought. Evidence is growing that many of these novel chlamydiae may be important pathogens in humans and animals. A significant barrier to characterising these novel chlamydiae is the requirement for culturing. We recently identified a range of novel uncultured chlamydiae in captive snakes in Switzerland, however, nothing is known about their biology. Using a metagenomics approach, the aim of this study was to characterise the genome of a novel chlamydial taxon from the choana of a captive snake. In doing so, we propose a new candidate species in the genus Chlamydia (Candidatus Chlamydia sanzinia) and reveal new information about the biological diversity of this important group of pathogens.ResultsWe identified two chlamydial genomic contigs: a 1,113,073 bp contig, and a 7,504 bp contig, representing the chromosome and plasmid of Ca. Chlamydia sanzinia strain 2742-308, respectively. The 998 predicted coding regions include an expanded repertoire of outer membrane proteins (Pmps and Omps), some of which exhibited frameshift mutations, as well as several chlamydial virulence factors such as the translocating actin-recruitment phosphoprotein (Tarp) and macrophage inhibition potentiator (Mip). A suite of putative inclusion membrane proteins were also predicted. Notably, no evidence of a traditional chlamydial plasticity zone was identified. Phylogenetically, Ca. Chlamydia sanzinia forms a clade with C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum, distinct from former “Chlamydophila” species.ConclusionsGenomic characterisation of a novel uncultured chlamydiae from the first reptilian host has expanded our understanding of the diversity and biology of a genus that was thought to be the most well-characterised in this unique phylum. It is anticipated that this method will be suitable for characterisation of other novel chlamydiae.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3055-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Chronic wasting associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae in three ex situ breeding facilities for tropical frogs

Eisenberg

Fawzy

Kaim

et al. 2020

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

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A number of different Chlamydia spp. have been detected in the class Amphibia with C. pneumoniae being the predominant species involved. Chlamydiae have been linked to mass mortality events, thereby representing significant pathogens that deserve attention with respect to worldwide amphibian decline. We here present six cases of chlamydiosis and asymptomatic chlamydial infections in different frog species from three ex situ amphibian conservation facilities. Clinical signs predominantly characterised by regurgitation, chronic wasting, lethargy and suspended breeding were associated with C. pneumoniae infection. Despite various treatment regimens, it was not possible to clear infections. However, intra vitam diagnostics succeeded from skin, faeces and urine for the first time.

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Characterisation of Chlamydia pneumoniae and other novel chlamydial infections in captive snakes

Cited by 27 publications

References 23 publications

Molecular Evidence of Chlamydia-Like Organisms in the Feces of Myotis daubentonii Bats

Molecular Evidence of Chlamydia-Like Organisms in the Feces of Myotis daubentonii Bats

Culture-independent genomic characterisation of Candidatus Chlamydia sanzinia, a novel uncultivated bacterium infecting snakes

Chronic wasting associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae in three ex situ breeding facilities for tropical frogs

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