title: Zoonotic infection with Chlamydia psittaci at an avian refuge centre.
abstract: This paper reports the zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia psittaci at a wild bird refuge centre resulting in the infection of members of the staff. Pharyngeal swabs were culture positive in 26% (11/42) of the sampled birds, and molecular characterisation of isolates revealed genotypes A, B, D, and E/B. The finding reflects multiple distinct infections and highlights the endemic nature of this pathogen in avian wildlife. Two clinically normal birds being prepared for release were found to be excreting C. psittaci genotype B or E/B and viable genotype B was detected in pharyngeal swabs from 30% (3/10) of the human workers tested. The findings suggest there should be enhanced surveillance and control measures in place in bird rehabilitation centres in order to minimise the risk of both zoonoses and of re-introduction of infection back into wildlife populations.
authors: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Isabelle.Kalmar@ugent.be.
authors: Isabelle D
authors: ID
authors: Kalmar
authors: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Veerle
authors: V
authors: Dicxk
authors: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Liesbeth
authors: L
authors: Dossche
authors: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Daisy
authors: D
authors: Vanrompay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D001717:Birds / Q000382:microbiology*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000635:transmission*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*
keywords: Avian; Chlamydia psittaci; Genotyping; Psittacosis; Zoonoses