Seroprevalence and genotype of Chlamydia in pet parrots in China

18Citations
Citations of this article
29Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds in China, and can harbour Chlamydia which has significance for human and animal health. We investigated, by indirect haemagglutination assay, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia infection in four species of parrots, namely budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) that were collected from Weifang and Beijing cities, North China and explored the association between potential risk factors and chlamydial seropositivity. We further determined the genotype of Chlamydia in 21 fresh faecal samples based on the ompA sequence by reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. Of the 311 parrots examined, 35·37% (95% confidence interval 30·06-40·68) were seropositive, and species, gender, age, season and geographical location were identified as risk factors. Two PCR-positive samples represented Chlamydia psittaci genotype A. The occurrence of C. psittaci genotype A in the droppings of two pet parrots in China suggests potential environmental contamination with Chlamydiaceae and may raise a public health concern.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Zhang, N. Z., Zhang, X. X., Zhou, D. H., Huang, S. Y., Tian, W. P., Yang, Y. C., … Zhu, X. Q. (2015). Seroprevalence and genotype of Chlamydia in pet parrots in China. Epidemiology and Infection, 143(1), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268814000363

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free