Multilocus sequence typing identifies an avian-like
            <i>Chlamydia psittaci</i>
            strain involved in equine placentitis and associated with subsequent human psittacosis

Jelocnik, Martina; Branley, James; Heller, Jane; Raidal, Shane R.; Alderson, Susan; Galea, Francesca; Gabor, Melinda

doi:10.1038/emi.2016.135

Cited by 41 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this case, the strain isolated from an abnormal horse placenta was most closely related to the C. psittaci sequence type 24/6BC clade, a clonally related and highly virulent cluster of strains thought to be shed primarily by infected parrots but also linked to indirect transmission to humans via environmental contamination [15]. Interestingly, while the human cases were not confirmed, contact with the infected reproductive material from the affected horse in this case was subsequently linked to a cluster of human psittacosis [14], [15], highlighting a new potential route of transmission for this zoonotic agent. Historically, reports of C. psittaci infections in horses are incredibly rare, although there is some evidence that these infections may be an important underdiagnosed cause of equine reproductive disease [14].…”

Section: Old Chlamydia Species New Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 83%

New and emerging chlamydial infections of creatures great and small

Taylor-Brown

2017

New Microbes and New Infections

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Until recently, our knowledge of the host range and diversity of members of the Chlamydiaceae, obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens of humans and animals, was thought to be nearly complete. Aided by advances in molecular diagnostics, a new picture is emerging, however, that the host barriers may be looser than previously thought for many chlamydial species. While cross-host transmission of chlamydial species is a concern for animal health, new reports highlight an emerging zoonotic risk for several species associated with intensification of farming and the widespread popularity of companion animals. The description of an expanded cohort of new species within this family from avian and reptilian hosts has also highlighted how much we still have to learn about the biology and pathogenicity of the Chlamydiaceae as a whole. Reports emerging about these relatives of the traditional chlamydial pathogens are matched by the continued identification of novel Chlamydia-related bacteria in the phylum Chlamydiae, providing evidence that many may be pathogenic to humans or animals and pose a zoonotic or vector-borne risk. The review examines the new hosts described for well-characterized chlamydial veterinary pathogens, emerging novel chlamydial species and the potential for these to cause disease in their respective hosts.

show abstract

Section: Old Chlamydia Species New Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 83%

New and emerging chlamydial infections of creatures great and small

Taylor-Brown

2017

New Microbes and New Infections

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Following this event, a cluster of human cases of psittacosis was detected with contact with the abnormal foetal membranes from this latter case revealed to be the major risk factor (Chan et al., ). Molecular typing of this case revealed that, genetically, the equine strain detected belonged to the 6BC clade of C. psittaci , a globally distributed clade typically reported in parrots (Jelocnik et al., ). This same strain had also been reported earlier as the endemic strain circulating in a different region of New South Wales, Australia as part of a longitudinal study of human psittacosis cases (Branley et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Further information was unavailable including the potential bird species reservoir. In our own Australian studies, the detection of parrot strains in both human and equine cases strongly suggests that psittacine birds are likely to be a common vehicle for C. psittaci transmission (Branley et al., ; Jelocnik et al., ). As psittacine birds are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical continents and regions, it is currently unclear what the potential avian reservoir of equine chlamydiosis might be in other regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…We recently reported the first detailed description of a case of C. psittaci placentitis in a pregnant mare, resulting in the premature death of a foal (Jelocnik et al., ). Following this event, a cluster of human cases of psittacosis was detected with contact with the abnormal foetal membranes from this latter case revealed to be the major risk factor (Chan et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Molecular evidence to suggest pigeon-type Chlamydia psittaci in association with an equine foal loss

Jelocnik

Jenkins

O’Rourke

et al. 2018

Transbound Emerg Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chlamydia psittaci is an important avian pathogen with spillover from infected wild and domesticated birds also posing a risk to human health. We recently reported a case of C. psittaci equine placentitis associated with further spillover to humans. Molecular typing of this case revealed it belonged to the 6BC clade of C. psittaci, a globally distributed highly virulent set of strains, typically linked to infection spillover from parrots. Equine chlamydiosis associated with C. psittaci infection has previously been reported elsewhere in countries where parrots are not endemic, however, raising questions over the identity of infecting C. psittaci strains and the potential infection reservoirs. In this study, we describe the detection and molecular characterization of C. psittaci in a case of equine abortion in southern Queensland. Equine placenta and fresh liver and lung tissue from the necropsied foetus were positive by C. psittaci-specific qPCR. Chlamydia psittaci-specific multilocus sequence typing and ompA genotyping were used to further characterize the detected equine strains and an additional strain obtained from a dove from a different geographic region presenting with psittacosis. Molecular typing of this case revealed that the infecting equine strains were closely related to the C0sittaci detected in dove, all belonging to an evolutionary lineage of C. psittaci strains typically associated with infections of pigeons globally. This finding suggests a broader diversity of C. psittaci strains may be detected in horses and in association with reproductive loss, highlighting the need for an expansion of surveillance studies globally to understand the epidemiology of equine chlamydiosis and the associated zoonotic risk.

show abstract

“…12 Subsequent molecular investigations of the equine material from this case confirmed the presence of C. psittaci with molecular typing revealing that the strain in this case belonged again to the group of C. psittaci strains commonly reported in parrots. 13 Given very little was otherwise known about the frequency of C. psittaci infection in horses and the risks posed to human health, studies examining the prevalence of C. psittaci infections in association with equine pregnancy loss were recently completed in regional New South Wales. To the authors' surprise, in one season, over 20% of cases of equine pregnancy loss and/or foal death were found to be C. psittaci positive suggesting that non-avian animal hosts may be more common than previously thought.…”

Section: The Emergence Of New C Psittaci Zoonotic Infection Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent history of psittacosis in Australia: expanding our understanding of the epidemiology of this important globally distributed zoonotic disease

Weston

Branley

2020

Internal Medicine Journal

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Psittacosis is a human systemic disease caused by infection with Chlamydia psittaci. Shortly after reports emerged of a global pandemic associated with contact with imported parrots, Australian researchers including Macfarlane Burnet and others demonstrated that C. psittaci was widespread in Australian parrots. Australian cases over the last two decades have revealed that environmental exposure and contact with infected horses are also risk factors in an increasingly complicated epidemiological picture for this zoonotic disease.

show abstract

Multilocus sequence typing identifies an avian-like Chlamydia psittaci strain involved in equine placentitis and associated with subsequent human psittacosis

Cited by 41 publications

References 12 publications

New and emerging chlamydial infections of creatures great and small

New and emerging chlamydial infections of creatures great and small

Molecular evidence to suggest pigeon-type Chlamydia psittaci in association with an equine foal loss

Recent history of psittacosis in Australia: expanding our understanding of the epidemiology of this important globally distributed zoonotic disease

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About