Determination of the Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci by PCR in Iranian Pigeons

Abstract

Many areas in Iran such as parks and gardens can be highly contaminated with pigeon feces. Chlamydia psittaci is a lethal bacterial that causes endemic avian chlamydiosis, epizootic outbreaks in mammals, and respiratory psittacosis in humans. Chlamydia psittaci strains in birds infect mucosal epithelial cells and macrophages of the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to determination of prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in feces of pigeons in Iran using PCR assay. DNA was extracted from 445 fecal samples of pigeons. The prevalence of this pathogen was 14.3% in region of this study. These results indicate that pigeon feces are a source of several zoonotic agents for humans, bird and animals. We suggested that continuous surveys can estimate, and thus help to minimize the risk of humans contracting diseases from pigeons.