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At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Abortion in humans caused by Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1)].

On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as etiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Aim of the present case report is to alert veterinarians about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2002

[Abortion in cattle caused by Chlamydia psittaci].

A case of bovine abortion was for the first time in Switzerland diagnosed by immunohistochemistry PCR (16S rRNA, ompA) and gene sequence analysis to be caused by Chlamydia psittaci. A possible occurence of further cases has to be investigated. Based on the existence of several methods with very different sensitivity and specificity to diagnose chlamydia it is suggested that at least two verified diagnostic tools should be used to diagnose an involvement of chlamydia in bovine abortion.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2002

[Ovine enzootic abortion: seroprevalence in Switzerland using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA)].

The present study gives an overview over the seroprevalence of ovine enzootic abortion in Switzerland. 639 sheep flocks out of eight cantons in Switzerland were examined by a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serotype 1), the agent causing ovine enzootic abortion. The eight cantons included Aargau, Bern, Zürich, Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Appenzell-Innerrhoden and Fribourg, the Vallais and the Graubünden. They were representative for 57% of the Swiss sheep flocks and for 60% of Swiss sheep population. In total, almost 19% (118) of the examined flocks were seropositive. Seroprevalence was the highest in Graubünden with 41%; this requires further examination and the evaluation of the need for a monitoring and controlling program. The examination of pooled sera made it possible to test a large number of samples with a reasonable amount of work. Higher sensitivity (92.9%) and specificity (97.6%) than the complement fixation test (CFT) in combination with testing of pooled sera makes the cELISA to be an usuable tool for serological screening on flock level.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2002

[Abortion in small ruminants in Switzerland: investigations during two lambing seasons (1996-1998) with special regard to chlamydial abortions].

Abortion cases of 144 goats und 86 sheep were investigated etiologically during 2 lambing seasons (1996/1997, 1997/1998). Macroscopic inspection of fetus and placenta was completed by histopathology and bacteriological isolation of agents. In addition, immunohistologically the following antigens were labeled in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Chlamydophila abortus (formerly Chlamydia psittaci serovar 1) and Border Disease Virus. From farms with abortions caused by Chlamydophila abortus specific data were recorded. In 75% of abortion cases in sheep and in 59% of cases in goats an etiologic diagnosis could be substantiated. Chlamydophila abortus is the most commonly involved agent in the etiology of caprine and ovine abortion (sheep 39%, goats 23%), followed by Toxoplasma gondii (sheep 19%, goats 15%) and Coxiella burnetti (sheep 1%, goats 10%). All other agents are of minor importance. An infectious cause of abortion based on histopathologic findings without isolation of agents was observed in sheep (10%) and goats (21%). Malformation occurred in sheep (2%) and goats (3%) and lesions suggestive for Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency were seen in goats only (2%).

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed1999

Cytokine release by ovine macrophages following infection with Chlamydia psittaci.

Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes abortion in both sheep and humans. The disease in sheep (but not humans) is characterized by a long-term persistent phase that appears to be under the control of interferon-gamma. However, nothing is known about cytokine induction that precedes the persistent phase in sheep. Primary alveolar lavage cells recovered from normal adult sheep were used to study cytokine production in the first 72 h of infection with C. psittaci. These cells were phenotypically characteristic of macrophages, being adherent, phagocytic, CD14+ and staining positive for non-specific esterase. In vitro infection of the macrophages with C. psittaci resulted in the release of IL-1beta, IL-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as measured by ovine-specific ELISAs. Heat-treated chlamydiae (1 h at 65 degrees C) did not induce the release of IL-1beta, but the release of IL-8 was similar to that induced by untreated organisms. The cells from different sheep varied most notably in their patterns of GM-CSF release in response to heat-treated and untreated organisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Turkeys are protected from infection with Chlamydia psittaci by plasmid DNA vaccination against the major outer membrane protein.

Plasmid DNA expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of an avian Chlamydia psittaci serovar A strain has been tested for its ability to raise an immune response and induce protection against challenge with the same serovar. A combined parenteral (intramuscular injection) and mucosal route (DNA drops administered to the nares) of DNA inoculation was compared with gene gun-based immunization. The gene gun delivery of pcDNA1/MOMP as well as the intramuscular-intranasal DNA delivery primed both T-helper and B cell memory, although rMOMP-expressing cells did not induce high antibody responses. Evidence for the priming of the memory was provided by the fact that the pcDNA1/MOMP inoculations raised antibodies belonging to the IgG and not IgM isotype. However, in response to challenge only five out of 15 vaccinated turkeys showed four-fold increases in serum IgG after challenge. By contrast, evidence for the priming of T cell memory in response to challenge was found in all vaccinated turkeys, as shown by the significantly heightened proliferative responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes following vaccination. Both immunization methods produced similar serological and lymphocyte proliferative responses. Notwithstanding the immunization method, a significant level of protection was observed in all pcDNA1/MOMP-immunized turkeys. The efficacy of MOMP-based DNA vaccination as a means of preventing severe clinical signs, lesions and chlamydia excretion in a turkey model of C. psittaci infection was demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Protection of turkeys against Chlamydophila psittaci challenge by parenteral and mucosal inoculations and the effect of turkey interferon-gamma on genetic immunization.

Plasmid DNA (pcDNA1::MOMP A) expressing the major outer membrane protein of an avian Chlamydophila psittaci serovar A strain was tested for its ability to induce protective immunity against challenge with the same C. psittaci serovar. A combined parenteral (intramuscular injection) and mucosal route (DNA drops administered to the nares) of DNA inoculation was compared to three other, different routes of administration (intramuscular inoculation, DNA drops administered to the nares and aerosol immunization). In addition, the effect of turkey interferon gamma (tIFN-gamma) on intramuscular immunization was evaluated by co-expressing pCIneo::tIFN-gamma. A significant level of protection was observed in turkeys immunized via the combined parenteral/mucosal route, the intramuscular route or by aerosol. Severe clinical signs and lesions were observed in the non-vaccinated control groups, in 80% of turkeys inoculated with a mixture of pcDNA1::MOMP A and pCIneo::tIFN-gamma, and in 60% of turkeys vaccinated with DNA drops administered to the nares. The use of MOMP-based DNA vaccination as a means of preventing severe clinical signs and lesions in a turkey model of C. psittaci infection was demonstrated, as was down-regulation of the immune response by co-expression of tIFN-gamma.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Experimental enteric infection of gnotobiotic piglets with a Chlamydia psittaci strain of avian origin.

The pathogenicity of a Chlamydia psittaci isolate of pigeon origin was assessed using a litter of gnotobiotic piglets. At 3 days of age, six piglets were inoculated intragastrically with egg-grown chlamydiae, the remaining six pigs were sham-inoculated. The animals were observed for clinical signs, and they were killed and necropsied sequentially between 4 and 15 days of age. Clinical manifestations consisted of slight softening of the faeces between 6 and 10 days post-inoculation (DPI). Immunohistochemistry revealed chlamydial replication predominantly in the small intestine, initially within villous enterocytes, after 4 DPI mostly in the lamina propria. Histopathology showed villous atrophy and increased numbers of inflammatory cells in the gut up to 6 DPI. Chlamydial stages of normal morphology were identified within enterocytes using transmission electron microscopy. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) run on faecal samples revealed shedding of chlamydial antigen from 3 until 11 DPI. Systemic dissemination of Chlamydia occurred to a limited extent according to polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry results of several extraintestinal organs. Corresponding histopathological changes were minimal. Sera of all pigs were negative for anti-chlamydial antibodies using a complement fixation test. In conclusion, inoculation of this isolate in gnotobiotic piglets resulted in a productive enteric infection with mild lesions, weak systemic dissemination, and faecal shedding, indicating the pig as a potential host for avian chlamydiae.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Serological status for Chlamydophila psittaci, Newcastle disease virus, avian polyoma virus, and Pacheco disease virus in scarlet macaws (Ara macao) kept in captivity in Costa Rica.

From 1998 to 1999, a total of 128 blood samples were collected from scarlet macaws (Ara macao), kept in captivity in 11 different aviaries located in six provinces of Costa Rica. The sera were examined for antibodies directed against Chlamydophila psittaci, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian polyoma virus (APV), and Pacheco disease virus (PDV). Testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), showed 16 (12.39%) of the samples (n = 129) exhibited antibodies directed against C. psittaci. Employing haemagglutination inhibition tests for NDV antibodies, all of the samples were found to be negative. The prevalence of antibodies specific for APV was tested with a blocking ELISA and serum neutralization tests (SNT) and 12 of 128 samples (9.37%) were found to be positive with both tests. In SNT, two out of 128 samples (1.56%) were positive for PDV. This is the first description of the serological status in scarlet macaws in captivity in Costa Rica. The study demonstrates the absence of NDV antibodies in the birds investigated on one hand, but also indicates a health hazard for numerous avian species due to the risk of infections with C. psittaci, APV or PDV.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Peptide immunization of guinea pigs against Chlamydia psittaci (GPIC agent) infection induces good vaginal secretion antibody response, in vitro neutralization and partial protection against live challenge.

Immunization of female guinea pigs with a chimeric peptide consisting of variable domain IV (VDIV) and a region known as GP8 from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydophila caviae, formerly Chlamydia psittaci guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis strain, was performed to assess whether humoral immune responses could be elicited in the reproductive tracts of immunized animals. The C. caviae strain is able to cause a sexually transmitted infection in the guinea pig that closely parallels C. trachomatis infections in humans. The best anti-VDIV antibody response in vaginal secretions was achieved by intraperitoneal priming with subsequent intravaginal boosting (P < 0.001). Dot-blot analyses of vaginal secretions confirmed that these anti-VDIV antibodies, produced against a linear peptide, were able to recognize and bind to whole conformational C. caviae elementary bodies. Following live intravaginal challenge with C. caviae, a significant reduction in the intensity (P = 0.01) and an apparent reduction in the duration of the infection was evident between the guinea pigs immunized with VDIV-GP8 and non-immunized controls.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development of a Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific and genotype-specific real-time PCR.

A Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific real-time PCR targeting the rDNA ribosomal spacer was developed as well as a genotype-specific real-time PCR targeting the Cp. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene. The SYBR Green-based species-specific real-time PCR detected Cp. psittaci genotypes A to F, and the recently discovered E/B genotype. The genotype-specific real-time PCR could easily distinguish genotypes C, D, F by use of TaqMan probes. Genotypes A, B and E could not be distinguished from each other by simply using TaqMan probes. For this purpose, non-fluorescent competitor oligonucleotides, had to be used next to the TaqMan probes. Genotype E/B could only be detected by use of a minor groove binder (MGB) probe. Both real-time PCR assays allowed reproducible, sensitive (10 rDNA or ompA copies/microL DNA extract) and specific detection of Cp. psittaci DNA. The genotype-specific real-time PCR was compared to ompA sequencing and ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using five Cp. psittaci field isolates (99, 61/8, 7344/2, 8615/1 and 7778B15) each consisting of two different genotypes. The currently developed real-time PCR assays were used in a case study on a veterinary school and a turkey farm. In the veterinary school, Cp. psittaci genotypes D, E/B and F infection were detected in all five groups of turkeys, and one veterinarian who was taking care of all these turkeys. On the turkey farm, the presence of two Cp. psittaci genotype B infection waves was demonstrated in one randomly selected turkey, the first wave at the age of 6 weeks, and the second at the age of 12 weeks.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of a recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting Chlamydophila psittaci antibodies in turkey sera.

Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) is one of the major pathogens associated with turkey respiratory disease. Devastating outbreaks with high mortality rates, similar to those of 1950 to 1970 in the USA occasionally occur, but respiratory signs without or with low mortality mostly characterize outbreaks now a day. Accurate diagnostic methods should be made available. The present study examined the sensitivity and specificity of a recombinant ELISA (rMOMP ELISA) for detecting Cp. psittaci major outer membrane specific antibodies in turkey sera. Test results were compared to those of immunoblotting and of a competitive ELISA (Chlamydia-psittaci-AK-EIA, Röhm Pharma, Germany) and an indirect ELISA (LPS/LGP) detecting antibodies to the lipopolysaccharide/lipoglycoprotein complex. The rMOMP ELISA was most sensitive as determined on serial dilutions of positive control sera originating from experimentally infected SPF turkeys. The competitive ELISA gave false positives since three negative controls reacted positive. For conventional sera, the sensitivities of the competitive ELISA, immunoblotting and the indirect ELISA were found to be 99.4, 93.1 and 82.2%, respectively, as compared to the rMOMP ELISA (100%). The specificities of the rMOMP ELISA, immunoblotting and the indirect ELISA were found to be 100% while the specificity of the competitive ELISA was only 2.7%. The rMOMP ELISA was chosen to compare the prevalence of chlamydiosis in 2002 with the one from 1992. In 2002, 188 on 200 (94%) turkey sera reacted positive compared to 175 on 200 (87.5%) in 1992 and like 10 years ago all examined farms were seropositive at slaughter. Interestingly, Belgian as well as French farms were seropositive.

Animals↗