Avian chlamydiosis is one of the most important infectious diseases of birds. Despite the rapid growth of exotic bird populations in Iran, there is little or no information on the specific infections that these types of birds carry. In this study, conventional isolation methods were used in cell culture to study occurrence of infection in pet birds. Samples from the conjunctiva, choana, and cloaca and/or droppings were provided from 17 birds of different species. The samples were used to infect McCoy cell culture to isolate Chlamydophila psittaci. The inoculated cells were fixed, stained by Giemsa, mounted on slides using Entellan â and observed by light microscope for the presence of typical chlamydial inclusion bodies. Chlamydophila psittaci was isolated from four birds including a ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), an Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), and a Timneh grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh). All negative cultures were passaged a further two times. To the best of our knowledge; the report represents the first isolation of chlamydia from birds in Iran.

Members of the Chlamydiaceae are obligate Gram-negative intracellular pathogens causing panoply of infectious diseases. As a zoonotic pathogen, Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) has been associated with a wide spectrum of infections in both wild and domestic animals, particularly birds. In humans, C. psittaci generates influenza-like symptoms, pneumonia, endocarditis, fever, chills, myalgia and headache. Similar to other Chlamydia species, virulence factors of C. psittaci mainly involve Type III secretory system, type IV system effectors (TARP), CopN, HctA and HctB, OmcA, OmcB, OmpA, major outer membrane protein (MOMP), PorB and Euo. In particular, C. psittaci may predispose patients to other respiratory pathogens. Direct contact and inhalation of contaminated air droplets from birds is a risk factor of infection transmission. Other risk factors are pregnancy, dense population, intensive agriculture, bird litter, and close contact with cats and dogs. Therefore, more care should be taken concerning close contact with these pet animals. Fortunately, these infections have been treated more effectively thanks to the development of novel drug delivery systems over the past decades. Considering highly contagious potential of C. psittaci and C. felis alongside wide host range and available risk factors, proper control strategies are essential to prevent their dissemination.

Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) is an important zoonotic pathogen in birds and has been reported from urban pigeons (Columba livia) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) worldwide. Some public areas in Iran, such as parks, have a high density of these birds; thus, they may be regarded as a zoonotic threat to humans. The current study aimed at performing the prevalence assessment as well as the phylogenetic analysis of C. psittaci in cloacal swab samples from these birds. To this aim, a total of 75 specimens of urban pigeon, 75 specimens of the house sparrow, and 30 pharyngeal swabs of humans who work in pet-markets were collected from six different zones of Chaharmal-va-Bakhtiari, a Southwestern Province of Iran. The prevalence of C. psittaci was 25. 3% (19 out of 75), 18. 6% (14 out of 75), and 10% (3 out of 30) among the pigeon, sparrow and the human samples, respectively. The prevalence of C. psittaci was considerably high in urban pigeons. To determine the genotype of C. psittaci, OmpA gene fragments in positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from the pigeon and sparrow positive samples belonged to the genotypes B and A, while genotyping was unsuccessful for the positive human samples. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of C. psittaci in pigeons and sparrows is high in Chahrmahal-va-Bakhtiari posing as a potential infection risk to susceptible individuals in public places and parks. Therefore, it is essential to take effective measures for the implementation of proper control programs to prevent the possible infection of people with C. psittaci.

Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) is an important zoonotic pathogen in birds and has been reported from urban pigeons (Columba livia) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) worldwide. Some public areas in Iran, such as parks, have a high density of these birds; thus, they may be regarded as a zoonotic threat to humans. The current study aimed at performing the prevalence assessment as well as the phylogenetic analysis of C. psittaci in cloacal swab samples from these birds. To this aim, a total of 75 specimens of urban pigeon, 75 specimens of the house sparrow, and 30 pharyngeal swabs of humans who work in pet-markets were collected from six different zones of Chaharmal-va-Bakhtiari, a Southwestern Province of Iran. The prevalence of C. psittaci was 25. 3% (19 out of 75), 18. 6% (14 out of 75), and 10% (3 out of 3)amongthe pigeon, sparrow and thehumansamples, respectively. The prevalence of C. psittaci was considerably high in urban pigeons. To determine the genotype of C. psittaci, OmpA gene fragments in positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from the pigeon and sparrow positive samples belonged to the genotypes B and A, while genotyping was unsuccessful for the positive human samples. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of C. psittaci in pigeons and sparrows is high in Chahrmahal-va-Bakhtiari posing as a potential infection risk to susceptible individuals in public places and parks. Therefore, it is essential to take effective measures for the implementation of proper control programs to prevent the possible infection of people with C. psittaci.

Members of the Chlamydiaceae are obligate Gram-negative intracellular pathogens that cause a variety of infectious diseases. As a zoonotic pathogen, Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) has been associated with a wide range of infections in both wild and domestic animals, particularly birds. In humans, C. psittaci causes influenza-like symptoms, pneumonia, endocarditis, fever, chills, myalgia and headache. Similar to other Chlamydia species, the virulence factors of C. psittaci mainly include type III secretion system, type IV system effectors (TARP), CopN, HctA and HctB, OmcA, OmcB, OmpA, major outer membrane protein (MOMP), PorB and Euo. In particular, C. psittaci may predispose patients to other respiratory pathogens. Direct contact and inhalation of contaminated air droplets from birds is a risk factor for transmission of infection. Other risk factors include pregnancy, overcrowding, bird litter, and close contact with cats and dogs. Therefore, greater care should be exercised in close contact with these pet animals. Fortunately, these infections have been treated more effectively thanks to the development of novel drug delivery systems in recent decades. There is no similar review study to assess zoonotic potential of these species. Considering the highly contagious potential of C. psittaci and C. felis, together with the wide host range and available risk factors, appropriate control strategies are essential to prevent their dissemination.

Background and Objectives: Chlamydia psittaci, an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative zoonotic pathogen, has eight serovars and nine genotypes isolated from avian species with higher frequency in parrots and pigeons. The aim of this study was to characterize Chlamydia spp. using nested PCR and sequencing. Materials and Methods: A total of 270 pharyngeal swab samples collected randomly from asymptomatic pigeons of 30 pigeon aviaries in Tehran province. DNA was extracted with specific kit and amplified by specific primers in the first PCR and outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in the second PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic tree analyzed based on the ompA gene. Results: Records showed that 16 of 30 (53%) pigeon aviaries were positive for Chlamydia spp. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 15 of 16 (93. 7%) positive samples, belonged to C. psittaci genotype B whereas the other sample belonged to C. avium. C. psittaci detected in 50% of pigeon aviaries that is high rate in Tehran province. Conclusion: As C. psittaci is a zoonosis and life threaten pathogen for human being, these results indicate the significance of it detection in asymptomatic pigeons. Also, this is the first report of Chlamydia avium presence in Iranian pigeons which its zoonotic potential is still unknown.

Background and Objectives: Enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) is caused by infection of sheep and goats by Chlamydia abortus bacterium. Chlamydial abortion in bovine could occur by Chlamydia abortus, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pecorum. C. psittaci is the causative agent of psittacosis or ornithosis disease in humans and birds. It also causes acute pneumonia in cattle and sheep. The present study aimed at surveying the role of chlamydial agents in ruminants abortion. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 aborted material samples (Cotyledon, liver, spleen, and abomasal contents of fetus) from 9 cattle and 100 sheep in Shahr-e-Kord and 8 sheep from Bagh-e-Malek were collected from different herds with abortion history during the lambing periods from 2014 to 2016. After DNA extraction, the samples were tested by species-specific PCR to detect C. abortus, C. pecorum and C. psittaci. Results: Out of 117 clinical sample (108 sheep and 9 cattle), chlamydial infection was detected in 66 (56. 41%) samples by Chlamydiales order-specific primers. A total of 24 (36. 36%) and 24 (36. 36%) samples indicated positive forms of C. abortus and C. psittasi infections, respectively. Only 1 (1. 5%) C. pecorum was identified from cattle using nested PCR during this study. Among 66 Chlamydiales-positive samples, 20 (30. 30%) samples with coinfection of C. abortus and C. psittaci were detected, however, infection of 3 species was not detected in the samples. Conclusion: Because of the high percentage of chlamydial infection in these regions and probability of coinfection, conducting epidemiological studies on the role of different animals is highly recommended.