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J Med Microbiol 56 (2007), 1097-1100; DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47157-0
© 2007 Society for General Microbiology
ISSN 1473-5644

Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans

Taher Harkinezhad, Kristel Verminnen, Caroline Van Droogenbroeck and Daisy Vanrompay

Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium

Correspondence
Daisy Vanrompay
Daisy.Vanrompay{at}ugent.be

Received 8 January 2007
Accepted 18 April 2007

Thirty-six birds from a parrot relief and breeding centre, as well as the manager, were examined for the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci. In the relief unit, 5 of 20 African grey parrots showed depression, ruffled feathers, loss of weight and mild dyspnoea. The birds received no antibiotic treatment. Birds of the breeding unit, 14 blue and gold macaws and 2 green-winged macaws, were healthy. They received doxycycline at the start of each breeding season. The manager complained of shortness of breath but took no medication. Using a nested PCR enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Cp. psittaci was detected in the faeces of all five sick birds, as well as in a nasal and pharyngeal swab from the manager. The veterinarian and her assistant became infected while sampling the parrots, as pharyngeal and nasal swabs from both were positive by nested PCR/EIA after visiting the parrot relief and breeding centre, but they showed no clinical signs of infection. Bacteria could be isolated from three of five nested PCR/EIA-positive birds, the manager and the veterinarian, but not from the veterinary assistant. Using an ompA genotype-specific real-time PCR, Cp. psittaci genotype E/B was identified as the transmitted strain. All breeding birds tested negative for Cp. psittaci. This is believed to be the first report on Cp. psittaci genotype E/B transmission from parrots to humans. In contradiction to genotype A strains, which are thought to be highly virulent to both birds and men, the currently described genotype E/B strain apparently caused no severe clinical symptoms in either parrots or humans.

Abbreviations: EIA, enzyme immunoassay; MOMP, major outer membrane protein.




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