title: Molecular detection of Chlamydia-like organisms in cattle drinking water.
abstract: A substantial proportion of the causes of infectious bovine abortion remain largely undiagnosed, potentially due to the presence of previously unrecognised infectious agents. Recently, several reports have demonstrated the presence of Parachlamydia sp. in placental and foetal tissues derived from bovine abortions of unknown aetiology but the route of transmission remains undefined. The drinking water from one such recent case study was analysed for the presence of Parachlamydia sp. as a potential source of infection. Chlamydiales sp. 16S rRNA genes were PCR-amplified from the drinking water and a 16S rRNA gene clone library constructed. DNA sequencing of thirty-one clones indicated the presence of organisms belonging to the Parachlamydiaceae, specifically the genera Parachlamydia and Neochlamydia. Seven 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to a Parachlamydia sp. sequence obtained from placental tissue from an abortion case originating from the same farm. These results raise the possibility that the drinking water is a source of Parachlamydia, which may play a role in infectious bovine abortion.
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK. nick.wheelhouse@moredun.ac.uk
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wheelhouse
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sait
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gidlow
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deuchande
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borel
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baily
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caldow
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Longbottom
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000235:genetics; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002695:Chlamydiales / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S