title: Molecular identification and successful treatment ofChlamydophila psittaci(genotype B) in a clinically affected Congo African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus).
abstract: Avian chlamydiosis is caused byChlamydiophila psittaciwith the highest infection rate in parrots (Psittacidae) and pigeons (Columbiformes). A two-year-old Congo African grey parrot was examined since the bird had shown clinical signs of anorexia, depression, diarrhea, and mild dyspnea and based on biochemical and hemathological analysis the bird was diagnosed as having anemia, leukocytosis, heterophilia, lymphopenia and monocytosis. With regards to clinical and paraclinical findings, the case was diagnosed to be carryingChlamydiophilaspp. In addition, choanal cleft and cloaca swabs were positive forChlamydiophilaspp. in a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (600 bp amplicon). Polymerase chain reaction products were typed byompAgene-based PCR, using CTU/CTL primers (1050 bp amplicon). The PCR product sequence was compared with the sequences obtained from GenBank. The phylogenetic tree has revealed 100% identity with genotype B obtained from previous studies. The bird was hospitalized and treated with doxycycline regimen for 45 days, with a weekly sampling process to trace the presence ofC. psittaciDNA in faecal and choanal swabs, this process continued to the point where the specimens turned negative after two weeks. Laboratory and radiology results were within normal limits after the treatment. Genotype B is predominantly isolated fromColumbidaeand there have not been any reports regarding the clinically affected African gray parrot with this genotype. Subsequently, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chlamydiosis by genotype B on Congo African grey parrot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Razmyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajabioun
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaeemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afshari
keywords: Avian chlamydiosis; Chlamydophila psittaci genotype B; Congo African grey parrot; PCR; ompA gene