Chlamydial species among wild birds and livestock in the foothills of Mt. Afadjato, Ghana

Abstract

The members of family Chlamydiaceae have a broad host range and cause many kinds of diseases in humans and animals. Several cases of Chlamydiaceae being detected in atypical hosts have been reported recently. Consequently, cross-species monitoring of Chlamydia in wildlife and livestock is pertinent for public health, animal hygiene and wildlife conservation. In this study, we conducted molecular surveillance of Chlamydia in wild birds and livestock around a small village in the foothills of Mt. Afadjato, Ghana where direct contact between wildlife and livestock occurs. Among 29 captured wild birds and 63 livestock, 5 sheep, 30 goats and 28 chickens, the positive ratios of Chlamydia were 24.1%, 40.0%, 43.3% and 26.9%, respectively. Chlamydia pecorum was detected in wild birds, goats, sheep and chickens. On the basis of the variable domain 2 region of ompA, several samples from different hosts showed identical sequences and were phylogenetically located to the same clusters. In addition, using ompA, C. psittaci, C. abortus and C. gallinacea were also detected in this small habitat. Further genetic and pathogenic analyses of the chlamydial distribution in this area, which represents the interface of wild and domestic animal interactions, may improve our knowledge of their transmission among different hosts.

Diversity of <i>Chlamydiales</i> detected in pet birds privately kept in individual homes in Japan

“…C. pecorum was detected in a bird with rhinitis. The detection of C. pecorum in birds is consistent with previous reports of its detection in wild birds in Japan, Germany, and Ghana [ 24 , 26 , 29 ] and in captive birds in Argentina [ 11 ].…”

“…Parachlamydiaceae has been detected in wild parrots in Australia [27], the comprehensive diversity of Chlamydiales in birds has not been investigated. Ghana [24,26,29] and in captive birds in Argentina [11].…”