title: Prevalence and genotype distribution of Chlamydia psittaci in feral Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in Belgium.
abstract: Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen with a wide range of avian hosts and worldwide geographical spread. Zoonotic transfer occurs by inhalation or direct contact and may cause psittacosis or parrot disease. Host reservoirs of particular epidemiological interest include gregarious or migratory species, as colonial behavior facilitates microbial spread amongst conspecifics and a migratory ecology permits disperse over a wide geographic region. The current study detected C. psittaci antibodies in 76 of 81 (93.8%) feral Canada geese (Branta canadensis) using a species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Viable C. psittaci were isolated from pharyngeal swabs of 47 of 81 (58%) birds, and subsequent ompA-based genotyping revealed genotypes E, B, and E/B. Absence of clinical symptoms in these geese could reflect a strong natural protection or a persistent infection. Canada geese are considered an important alien species in Europe. Current results denote that this avian reservoir poses a considerable risk to native wildlife as a potential source of C. psittaci.
authors: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Veerle
authors: V
authors: Dickx
authors: Isabelle D
authors: ID
authors: Kalmar
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Tavernier
authors: Daisy
authors: D
authors: Vanrompay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005777:Geese; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013045:Species Specificity; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; C078167:OMPA outer membrane proteins