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The Lancet. Microbe Sep 2023
Topics: Humans; Chlamydophila psittaci; Quarantine; Psittacosis; Chlamydia Infections
PubMed: 37327801
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00175-1 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023is the pathogen of psittacosis and infects a wide range of birds and even humans. Human infection occurs most commonly in those with a history of contact with birds or...
is the pathogen of psittacosis and infects a wide range of birds and even humans. Human infection occurs most commonly in those with a history of contact with birds or poultry. We describe a case of psittacosis in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient in Zhejiang Province for the first time. infection was confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Real-Time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences from the patient's samples clustered with genotype A in the same branch. Our study highlights the possibility of diagnosing psittacosis in patients with a chronic disease such as HIV-infected patients, and should increase awareness and surveillance of psittacosis in China.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Psittacosis; Chlamydophila psittaci; Phylogeny; HIV Infections; Birds; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 37260699
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1185803 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Although international health agencies encourage the development of One Health (OH) surveillance, many systems remain mostly compartmentalized, with limited...
Although international health agencies encourage the development of One Health (OH) surveillance, many systems remain mostly compartmentalized, with limited collaborations among sectors and disciplines. In the framework of the OH European Joint Programme "MATRIX" project, a generic evaluation tool called OH-EpiCap has been developed to enable individual institutes/governments to characterize, assess and monitor their own OH epidemiological surveillance capacities and capabilities. The tool is organized around three dimensions: organization, operational activities, and impact of the OH surveillance system; each dimension is then divided into four targets, each including four indicators. A semi-quantitative questionnaire enables the scoring of each indicator, with four levels according to the degree of satisfaction in the studied OH surveillance system. The evaluation is conducted by a panel of surveillance representatives (during a half-day workshop or with a back-and-forth process to reach a consensus). An R Shiny-based web application facilitates implementation of the evaluation and visualization of the results, and includes a benchmarking option. The tool was piloted on several foodborne hazards (i.e., ), emerging threats (e.g., antimicrobial resistance) and other zoonotic hazards (psittacosis) in multiple European countries in 2022. These case studies showed that the OH-EpiCap tool supports the tracing of strengths and weaknesses in epidemiological capacities and the identification of concrete and direct actions to improve collaborative activities at all steps of surveillance. It appears complementary to the existing EU-LabCap tool, designed to assess the capacity and capability of European microbiology laboratories. In addition, it provides opportunity to reinforce trust between surveillance stakeholders from across the system and to build a good foundation for a professional network for further collaboration.
Topics: One Health; Europe
PubMed: 37250092
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1053986 -
BMC Genomics May 2023Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis, is a genetically heterogeneous species. Its broad host range includes parrots...
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis, is a genetically heterogeneous species. Its broad host range includes parrots and many other birds, but occasionally also humans (via zoonotic transmission), ruminants, horses, swine and rodents. To assess whether there are genetic markers associated with host tropism we comparatively analyzed whole-genome sequences of 61 C. psittaci strains, 47 of which carrying a 7.6-kbp plasmid.
RESULTS
Following clean-up, reassembly and polishing of poorly assembled genomes from public databases, phylogenetic analyses using C. psittaci whole-genome sequence alignment revealed four major clades within this species. Clade 1 represents the most recent lineage comprising 40/61 strains and contains 9/10 of the psittacine strains, including type strain 6BC, and 10/13 of human isolates. Strains from different non-psittacine hosts clustered in Clades 2- 4. We found that clade membership correlates with typing schemes based on SNP types, ompA genotypes, multilocus sequence types as well as plasticity zone (PZ) structure and host preference. Genome analysis also revealed that i) sequence variation in the major outer membrane porin MOMP can result in 3D structural changes of immunogenic domains, ii) past host change of Clade 3 and 4 strains could be associated with loss of MAC/perforin in the PZ, rather than the large cytotoxin, iii) the distinct phylogeny of atypical strains (Clades 3 and 4) is also reflected in their repertoire of inclusion proteins (Inc family) and polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study identified a number of genomic features that can be correlated with the phylogeny and host preference of C. psittaci strains. Our data show that intra-species genomic divergence is associated with past host change and includes deletions in the plasticity zone, structural variations in immunogenic domains and distinct repertoires of virulence factors.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Horses; Swine; Chlamydophila psittaci; Psittacosis; Phylogeny; Chlamydia; Birds; Genomics
PubMed: 37248517
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09370-w -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Apr 2023Psittacosis is a well-recognized zoonotic infectious disorder caused by Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci). Human-to-human transmission of C. psittaci has rarely been...
INTRODUCTION
Psittacosis is a well-recognized zoonotic infectious disorder caused by Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci). Human-to-human transmission of C. psittaci has rarely been reported previously, especially in the case of healthcare-associated infections.
CASE REPORT
A 32-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia. An intensive care unit healthcare worker contracted pneumonia 7 days after performing endotracheal intubation on the patient. The first patient, a duck feeder, had been closely exposed to ducks, while the second patient had not been exposed to any birds, mammals or poultry. C. psittaci sequences were obtained by metagenomic next-generation sequencing analyses of bronchial alveolar lavage fluid of both the patients, and they were diagnosed with psittacosis. Therefore, healthcare-associated human-to-human transmission between both cases took place.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings have implications for managing patients with suspected psittacosis. stringent protective measures are needed to prevent healthcare-associated human-to-human transmission of C. psittaci.
Topics: Animals; Male; Humans; Adult; Psittacosis; Health Facilities; Intensive Care Units; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cross Infection; Mammals
PubMed: 37159883
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17241 -
Zoonoses and Public Health Sep 2023Chlamydia psittaci is a bacterium that causes chlamydiosis in birds and can cause zoonotic psittacosis in people. In November 2017, we received notification of a...
Chlamydia psittaci is a bacterium that causes chlamydiosis in birds and can cause zoonotic psittacosis in people. In November 2017, we received notification of a suspected case of avian chlamydiosis in a captive cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) that was sold by an online pet bird retail and breeding facility in Washington State. We describe the investigation with emphasis on how environmental sampling was used to guide veterinary and public health interventions. Bird samples were collected either from pooled droppings, pooled plumage or individual nasal and choanal swabs. Environmental samples were obtained by swabbing cleaning mops, tables and cage structures. All samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction and positive samples underwent genotyping. Approximately 1000 birds representing four taxonomic orders were kept within an open-space warehouse. Eight of 14 environmental samples and one of two pooled faecal samples were positive for Chlamydia spp. The contaminating strain of Chlamydia spp. was identified as genotype A. The facility was closed for environmental disinfection, and all psittacines were treated with oral doxycycline for 45 days. Ten of 10 environmental and two of two pooled faecal samples were negative for C. psittaci 11 months after the completion of environmental disinfection and antimicrobial treatment. This investigation highlights the importance of preventing and mitigating pathogen incursion in an online pet retail and breeding facility. Environmental sampling is valuable to guide animal and public health interventions for control of C. psittaci, particularly when large numbers of birds are exposed to the pathogen.
Topics: Animals; Psittacosis; Bird Diseases; Birds; Chlamydophila psittaci; Doxycycline
PubMed: 37157946
DOI: 10.1111/zph.13045 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023(), a zoonotic pathogen, poses a potential threat to public health security and the development of animal husbandry. Vaccine-based preventative measures for infectious...
(), a zoonotic pathogen, poses a potential threat to public health security and the development of animal husbandry. Vaccine-based preventative measures for infectious diseases have a promising landscape. DNA vaccines, with many advantages, have become one of the dominant candidate strategies in preventing and controlling the chlamydial infection. Our previous study showed that CPSIT_p7 protein is an effective candidate for a vaccine against . Thus, this study evaluated the protective immunity of pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 against infection in BALB/c mice. We found that pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 can induce strong humoral and cellular immune responses. The IFN-γ and IL-6 levels in the infected lungs of mice immunized with pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 reduced substantially. In addition, the pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 vaccine diminished pulmonary pathological lesions and reduced the load in the lungs of infected mice. It is worth noting that pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 suppressed dissemination in BALB/c mice. In a word, these results demonstrate that the pcDNA3.1(+)/CPSIT_p7 DNA vaccine has good immunogenicity and immunity protection effectiveness against infection in BALB/c mice, especially pulmonary infection, and provides essential practical experience and insights for the development of a DNA vaccine against chlamydial infection.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Chlamydophila psittaci; Vaccines, DNA; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Bacterial Proteins; Bacterial Vaccines; Psittacosis; Lung; Chlamydia Infections; Plasmids; DNA
PubMed: 37108176
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087013 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2023Chlamydia is a zoonotic pathogen that mainly infects poultry and pet birds. This Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasite also causes human psittacosis, the...
Chlamydia is a zoonotic pathogen that mainly infects poultry and pet birds. This Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasite also causes human psittacosis, the severity of which varies from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening severe pneumonia, including sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ failure. Inhalation of aerosols from contaminated bird excreta through the respiratory tract is the main route of transmission to humans. Here, we present a case of pneumonia accompanied by lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease. A 48-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with a four-day history of cough and dyspnea. A detailed history revealed his contact with domestic pigeons. The results of metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested infection. Antibacterial agents were switched to targeted doxycycline, but in the next week, skin examination revealed acrocyanosis of both lower extremities, and the remarkable palpable purpura progressively worsened. Re-examination of the lower extremity vascular ultrasound suggested left dorsalis pedis artery occlusion and right peroneal vein thrombosis, which resulted in the amputation of both legs. This case is the first report of pneumonia combined with arterioocclusive sclerosis of both lower extremities.
PubMed: 37077253
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S393256 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Apr 2023[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac518.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac518.].
PubMed: 37065983
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad191 -
Zoonoses and Public Health Aug 2023Avian chlamydiosis is an acute or chronic bacterial disease of birds. Chlamydia psittaci is the primary agent of the disease. It is also an important zoonotic pathogen....
Avian chlamydiosis is an acute or chronic bacterial disease of birds. Chlamydia psittaci is the primary agent of the disease. It is also an important zoonotic pathogen. Chlamydia avium and Chlamydia gallinacea have also been recognized as potential causative agents of the disease. Clinical signs of this disease can vary in severity. Asymptomatic infections of Chlamydia have commonly been reported in various birds worldwide. In this study, we investigated the distribution of Chlamydia species in healthy psittacine birds in Korea. A total of 263 samples (pharyngeal/cloacal swabs and faeces) were collected from psittacine birds of 26 species in five zoos, five parrot farms and seven parrot cafes between 2020 and 2021. Ages of these birds had a wide range (1 month to 30 years). During sample collection, no bird showed any clinical signs indicating diseases such as chlamydiosis. Samples were tested for the presence of Chlamydia spp. using real-time PCR assays. Chlamydia spp. were detected in 168 (63.9%) samples and C. psittaci was detected in 96 (36.5%) samples. However, C. avium and C. gallinacea were not detected. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of asymptomatic infections in birds among three types of housing environments. Regarding ompA genotypes, 87 C. psittaci-positive samples had genotype A based on sequence analysis (n = 28) and genotype-specific real-time PCR (n = 59). Other positive samples were untyped (n = 9). Overall findings showed high prevalence of asymptomatic infections of C. psittaci in psittacine birds in Korea, posing a significant hazard to public health.
Topics: Animals; Chlamydophila psittaci; Prevalence; Asymptomatic Infections; Bird Diseases; Psittacosis; Parrots; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 37005713
DOI: 10.1111/zph.13039