title: Chlamydophila psittaci infections in hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) confiscated in Brazil.
abstract: The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the largest species of psittacine birds. It is considered endangered and illegal trade is one of the main factors involved in its decline. In this study, 26 hyacinth macaws maintained under poor husbandry conditions and destined for the illegal trade were confiscated in São Paulo State, Brazil. These birds were evaluated for the presence of antibodies against Chlamydophila psittaci by complement fixation test and C. psittaci DNA by seminested polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that 65.4% of the macaws were positive for at least one test. Birds with subclinical infections can shed chlamydiae intermittently over long periods, contributing to the dissemination of the agent. Global trade is one of the most important drivers of disease emergence. The high percentage of positive samples in this study emphasizes the potential risk that the illegal trade of wild birds represents for both human and animal health.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ/USP), Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo/SP, 05508-270, Brazil. tfraso@usp.br
authors.forename: Tânia Freitas
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Raso
authors.forename: Rodrigo Hidalgo Friciello
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Adriano Oliveira Torres
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: João Pessoa
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Aramis Augusto
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003132:Commerce; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003415:Crime; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011563:Psittaciformes; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial