Chlamydia psittaci in Eurasian Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) in Italy.
We investigated the Chlamydia spp. occurrence in Eurasian Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) from urban and suburban areas in northern Italy. Among 76 doves screened, prevalence of Chlamydia spp. was 61%. Chlamydia psittaci genotype E was identified in 33 of the 46 positive samples. The multilocus sequence typing pattern of one highly positive sample showed a new allelic combination. The same molecular features were observed in a C. psittaci strain subsequently isolated from a live dove. Our results reveal a high C. psittaci prevalence in S. decaocto. The spread of this zoonotic pathogen from collared doves to other birds or humans seems to be a potential risk.
1 Section of Microbiology DIMES, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
Manuela
M
Donati
Karine
K
Laroucau
Mauro
M
Delogu
Fabien
F
Vorimore
Rachid
R
Aaziz
Eleonora
E
Cremonini
Roberta
R
Biondi
Claudia
C
Cotti
Raffaella
R
Baldelli
Antonietta
A
Di Francesco
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010856:Columbidae; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial
Chlamydia psittaci; Chlamydiaceae; Eurasian Collared Dove; MLST; MLVA; Streptopelia decaocto; real-time PCR