scholarly journals Prevalence and Zoonotic Potential of Avian Chlamydia in Croatia

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Danijela Horvatek Tomić ◽  
Estella Prukner-Radovčić ◽  
Iva Pem Novosel ◽  
Maja Lukač ◽  
Željko Gottstein

Background: Zoonotic Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, can be found in different bird species, but also in other animals and humans. Recently, new species have been described, as C. gallinacea and C. avium, changing the perspective of a single causative agent of avian chlamydiosis. Genotypes of C. psittaci differ, according to their pathogenicity, and the ones isolated from parrots, turkeys and ducks are particularly pathogenic to bird breeders or owners, veterinarians, poultry farms and slaughterhouse workers. Infections in humans may pass unapparent or to the onset of systemic lung inflammation. Asymptomatic infection is most commonly found in birds, but acute systemic or chronic infections are also possible. Material and Methods: Presence of C. psittaci in birds in Croatia must be reported by law, and all registered flocks of pigeons, parrots and other birds must be examined once, and pet shops at least twice a year. In the period from 2008 to 2017, a total of 3283 avian samples were examined by real-time PCR and the presence of Chlamydiaceae, C. psittaci and C. gallinacea were detected in faecal samples or swabs. Results and Conclusions: In total, 12% of the samples were found positive for Chlamydiaceae. From the 2015, the presence of C. psittaci has also routinely been determined, whereas 34.01% positive avian samples proved to be C. psittaci. Findings of chlamydia in various avian species indicates the importance of proper implementation of the protective measures, by taking into account the zoonotic potential of chlamydia originating from birds and poultry.

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Mitura ◽  
Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska ◽  
Krzysztof Niemczuk ◽  
Jeleusizowa Anara

Abstract Chlamydiales, one of the oldest bacterial orders in evolutionary terms, are widespread among animals. Blinding trachoma, a disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, was already known in ancient times, whereas modern reports on psittacosis date from 1879. Though these pathogens have long been known and lead to serious health problems both in human and animals, data on Chlamydiales biology has been limited. It is due to their intracellular life style and complex developmental cycle. New molecular biological methods have been recently developed expanding the possibilities of chlamydial research and diagnosis. This paper reviews data concerning avian chlamydiosis, its aetiological agent C. psittaci, newly proposed species isolated from birds, namely C. ibidis sp. nov., C. avium sp. nov., and C. gallinacea sp. nov., and their zoonotic potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Madslien ◽  
Torfinn Moldal ◽  
Britt Gjerset ◽  
Sveinn Gudmundsson ◽  
Arne Follestad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by influenza A virus of subtype H5N8 have been reported in wild birds and poultry in Europe during autumn 2020. Norway is one of the few countries in Europe that had not previously detected HPAI virus, despite widespread active monitoring of both domestic and wild birds since 2005. Results We report detection of HPAI virus subtype H5N8 in a wild pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), and several other geese, ducks and a gull, from south-western Norway in November and December 2020. Despite previous reports of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), this constitutes the first detections of HPAI in Norway. Conclusions The mode of introduction is unclear, but a northward migration of infected geese or gulls from Denmark or the Netherlands during the autumn of 2020 is currently our main hypothesis for the introduction of HPAI to Norway. The presence of HPAI in wild birds constitutes a new, and ongoing, threat to the Norwegian poultry industry, and compliance with the improved biosecurity measures on poultry farms should therefore be ensured. [MK1]Finally, although HPAI of subtype H5N8 has been reported to have very low zoonotic potential, this is a reminder that HPAI with greater zoonotic potential in wild birds may pose a threat in the future. [MK1]Updated with a sentence emphasizing the risk HPAI pose to poultry farms, both in the Abstract and in the Conclusion-section in main text, as suggested by Reviewer 1 (#7).


2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 2171-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Boros ◽  
Csaba Nemes ◽  
Péter Pankovics ◽  
Beatrix Kapusinszky ◽  
Eric Delwart ◽  
...  

Members of the family Picornaviridae are important pathogens of humans and animals, although compared with the thousands of known bird species (>10 000), only a few (n = 11) picornaviruses have been identified from avian sources. This study reports the metagenomic detection and complete genome characterization of a novel turkey picornavirus from faecal samples collected from eight turkey farms in Hungary. Using RT-PCR, both healthy (two of three) and affected (seven of eight) commercial turkeys with enteric and/or stunting syndrome were shown to be shedding viruses in seven (88 %) of the eight farms. The viral genome sequence (turkey/M176/2011/HUN; GenBank accession no. JQ691613) shows a high degree of amino acid sequence identity (96 %) to the partial P3 genome region of a picornavirus reported recently in turkey and chickens from the USA and probably belongs to the same species. In the P1 and P2 regions, turkey/M176/2011/HUN is related most closely to, but distinct from, the kobuviruses and turdivirus 1. Complete genome analysis revealed the presence of characteristic picornaviral amino acid motifs, a potential type II-like 5′ UTR internal ribosome entry site (first identified among avian-origin picornaviruses) and a conserved, 48 nt long ‘barbell-like’ structure found at the 3′ UTR of turkey/M176/2011/HUN and members of the picornavirus genera Avihepatovirus and Kobuvirus. The general presence of turkey picornavirus – a novel picornavirus species – in faecal samples from healthy and affected turkeys in Hungary and in the USA suggests the worldwide occurrence and endemic circulation of this virus in turkey farms. Further studies are needed to investigate the aetiological role and pathogenic potential of this picornavirus in food animals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Antonio Arnaiz-Villena ◽  
Valentín Ruiz-del-Valle ◽  
Fabio Suarez-Trujillo ◽  
Adrian Lopez-Nares ◽  
Alvaro Callado ◽  
...  

Introduction: South American siskins (Genus Carduelis/Spinus) are the outcome of regional evolutionary radiation from an extant (or other extinct) species: C. notata, a North America siskin, which thrives in Mexico subtropical areas and is parental of one of the three described North American siskin radiations. Methods: Speciation and/or subspeciation of this South American siskin radiation have probably occurred during Pleistocene Epoch. In the present paper, a new species/subspecies akin to C./S. atrata is described by genetic and phenotypic parameters: this new species/subspecies was previously considered a subspecies of C./S. xanthogastra, which thrives further North and is separated about 1,762 km, 1,094 miles, from this described subspecies, Carduelis/ Spinus xanthogastra stejnegeri. Results: Our genetic study using mt cyt b, phenotypic and behavior observations show that this putative C./S. xanthogastra subspecies is either a different species or a C./S. atrata subspecies; we have proposed a provisional name for this finch, C./S. lapazensis, instead of C./S. x. stejnegeri. Conclusion: Species definition is movable and controversial, and it is uncertain in South American siskins, which all show a close genetic and phenotypical relationship, which may be still immersed in speciation processes since Pleistocene Epoch.


2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaocai Li ◽  
Ping Liu ◽  
Jia Hou ◽  
Guanglan Xu ◽  
Junfeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Chlamydia spp. are a group of obligate intracellular pathogens causing a number of diseases in animals and humans. Avian chlamydiosis (AC), caused by Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) as well as new emerging C. avium, C. gallinacea and C. ibidis, have been described in nearly 500 avian species worldwidely. The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is a world endangered avian species with limited population and vulnerable for various infections. To get a better understanding of the prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in the endangered Crested Ibis, faecal samples were collected and analysed. The results confirmed that 20.20% (20/99) of the faecal samples were positive for Chlamydiaceae and were identified as C. ibidis with co-existence of C. psittaci in one of the 20 positive samples. In addition, ompA sequence of C. psittaci obtained in this study was classified into the provisional genotype Matt116, while that of C. ibidis showed high genetic diversity, sharing only 77% identity with C. ibidis reference strain 10-1398/6. We report for the first time the presence of C. ibidis and C. psittaci in the Crested Ibis, which may indicate a potential threat to the endangered birds and should be aware of the future protection practice.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3427 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARMANDO C. CICCHINO ◽  
DANIEL ALFONSO GONZÁLEZ-ACUÑA

Species of the genus Bonomiella Conci, 1942, are a parasitic on bird species belonging to the family Columbidae (Aves, Columbiformes). In the present study we redescribe the species Bonomiella columbae Emerson, 1957 from Argentinean specimens, and describe the new species B. zenaidae sp. nov. from Zenaida auriculata virgate Bertoni, 1901, and Z. auriculata auriculata (des Murs 1847) from Argentina and Chile. Descriptions include male and female diagnostic features, and also descriptions of nymphal instars II and III. Also, we include a full diagnosis of the genus Bonomiella and an annotated checklist of the six species known to date, with their respective hosts.


1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte Poulin ◽  
S. Joseph Wright ◽  
Gaëtan Lefebvre ◽  
Osvaldo Calderón

Plants potentially compete for seed dispersal. Selection may favour temporally segregated fruiting phenologies to minimize this competition and also to maintain resident populations of dispersal agents. Alternatively, selection may favour temporally aggregated fruiting phenologies when the effectiveness of seed dispersal agents varies seasonally or when large, synchronous fruit displays enhance dispersal. These evolutionary scenarios assume that plants share seed dispersal agents. This assumption and temporal overlap in fruiting phenologies were evaluated for the Miconia and Psychotria of central Panama. These two genera accounted for 18 and 27%, respectively, of 1096 fleshy fruits found in regurgitation or faecal samples taken from 2054 birds of 103 species netted in the forest understorey. Two species of manakins accounted for 62% (123/200) of all Miconia fruit taken. Three species of manakins and three species of migratory thrushes accounted for 97% (282/292) of all Psychotria fruits taken. There is a high potential for intrageneric competition for seed dispersal for both plant genera. Null model analyses showed that the fruiting phenologies of Miconia (14 species) are segregated in time, while fruiting of Psychotria (21 species) is highly aggregated. The Miconia were found in up to 24% of the diet samples for the two manakin species, suggesting that Miconia may be a critical resource for both species. The Psychotria fruited when the diversity of understorey fruits was greatest, suggesting a high potential for both intra- and extrageneric competition. The abundance and nomadism of the six bird species that consumed most Psychotria fruit peaked when the Psychotria fruited, supporting the enhancement hypothesis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 2029-2035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Boros ◽  
Tamás Kiss ◽  
Orsolya Kiss ◽  
Péter Pankovics ◽  
Beatrix Kapusinszky ◽  
...  

Despite the continuously growing number of known avian picornaviruses (family Picornaviridae), knowledge of their genetic diversity in wild birds, especially in long-distance migrant species is very limited. In this study, we report the presence of a novel picornavirus identified from one of 18 analysed faecal samples of an Afro-Palearctic migrant bird, the European roller (Coracias garrulus L., 1758), which is distantly related to the marine-mammal-infecting seal aquamavirus A1 (genus Aquamavirus). The phylogenetic analyses and the low sequence identity (P1 26.3 %, P2 25.8 % and P3 28.4 %) suggest that this picornavirus could be the founding member of a novel picornavirus genus that we have provisionally named ‘Kunsagivirus’, with ‘Greplavirus A’ (strain roller/SZAL6-KuV/2011/HUN, GenBank accession no. KC935379) as the candidate type species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Ting Xiao ◽  
Luis G. Giménez-Lirola ◽  
Priscilla F. Gerber ◽  
Yong-Hou Jiang ◽  
Patrick G. Halbur ◽  
...  

Many astrovirus (AstV) species are associated with enteric disease, although extraintestinal manifestations in mammalian and avian hosts have also been described. In this study, the prevalence rates of porcine AstV types 1–5 (PAstV1–PAstV5) were investigated using faecal samples from 509 pigs of which 488 (95.9 %) came from farms with a history of diarrhoea. All of the five known PAstV types were found to circulate in pigs in the USA, and co-infection of a single pig with two or more PAstV types was frequently observed. A high overall prevalence of 64.0 % (326/509) of PAstV RNA-positive samples was detected, with 97.2 % (317/326) of the PAstV RNA-positive pigs infected with PAstV4. Further genomic sequencing and characterization of the selected isolates revealed low sequence identities (49.2–89.0 %) with known PAstV strains, indicating novel types or genotypes of PAstV2, PAstV4 and PAstV5. Some new features of the genomes of the PAstVs were also discovered. The first complete genome of a PAstV3 isolate was obtained and showed identities of 50.5–55.3 % with mink AstV and the novel human AstVs compared with 38.4–42.7 % with other PAstV types. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PAstV1, PAstV2 and PAstV3 were more closely related to AstVs from humans and other animals than to each other, indicating past cross-species transmission and the zoonotic potential of these PAstVs.


Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
VICTORIA MORIN-ADELINE ◽  
LARRY VOGELNEST ◽  
NAVNEET K. DHAND ◽  
MICHAEL SHIELS ◽  
WARRICK ANGUS ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe Regent Honeyeater (Xanthomyza phyrigia) is an endangered Australian bird species. Breeding populations have been established at Australian zoos in support of re-introduction programmes. This species is the host of a new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa). Oocysts are spherical, 25·8 (22·5–28·75) by 23·8 (20–26·25) μm with a colourless to pale yellow smooth wall undergoing rapid exogenous sporulation, 90% sporulated oocysts in 8 h at 20°C. Each oocyst contains 1 polar granule. Sporocysts are ovoid, 18·67 (17–19) by 9·49 (9–10) μm with a flat Stieda body and spherical substieda body devoid of a hyaline body. The asexual stages and sexual phase is within the enterocytes of the duodenum and jejunum. Faeces collected in the morning (AM, n=84) and in the afternoon (PM, n=90) revealed significant diurnal periodicity in oocyst shedding; 21% (18 of 84) of the AM were positive with the mean of 499 oocysts.g−1 compared to the PM with 91% (82 of 90) bird faeces positive with the mean of 129 723 oocysts.g−1. Therefore, parasite checks for these birds should be carried out in the afternoon to obtain an accurate result. The ecological significance of the high parasite burden in captive birds requires further investigation and comparison to the wild counterparts.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document