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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, January 2008, p. 281-285, Vol. 46, No. 1
0095-1137/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01153-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Evaluation of a Chlamydophila psittaci Infection Diagnostic Platform for Zoonotic Risk Assessment{triangledown}

Kristel Verminnen,1* Barbara Duquenne,1,{dagger} David De Keukeleire,2,3 Birgitta Duim,4 Yvonne Pannekoek,4 Lutgart Braeckman,2 and Daisy Vanrompay1

Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium,1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium,2 IDEWE Occupational Health Services, Interleuvenlaan 58, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium,3 Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands4

Received 8 June 2007/ Returned for modification 29 July 2007/ Accepted 31 October 2007

Reports on zoonotic transmission of Chlamydophila psittaci originating from poultry are incidentally published. During recent studies in European turkeys we isolated C. psittaci genotypes A, B, D, E, F, and E/B, all considered potentially dangerous for humans. This encouraged us to analyze the zoonotic risk on a Belgian turkey farm, from production onset until slaughter, using a Chlamydophila psittaci diagnostic platform. Twenty individually marked hens, as well as the farmer and two scientists, were monitored medically. Bioaerosol monitoring, serology, isolation, and nested PCR demonstrated chlamydiosis on the farm leading to symptomatic psittacosis in all 3 persons involved. ompA sequencing confirmed the zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci genotype A. Strangely, two different antibody microimmunofluorescence (MIF) tests remained negative in all infected persons. The results demonstrate the value of the currently used diagnostic platform in demonstrating C. psittaci infections in both birds and humans but raise questions regarding use of the MIF test for diagnosing human psittacosis. In addition, our results suggest the underestimation of psittacosis in the poultry industry, stressing the need for a veterinary vaccine and recommendations for zoonotic risk reduction strategies.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, FBW-Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Phone: 32 9 264 99 23. Fax: 32 9 264 62 19. E-mail: Kristel.Verminnen{at}UGent.be

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 14 November 2007.

{dagger} Present address: ILVO, Technologie en Voeding, Brusselsestwg 370, B-9090 Melle, Belgium.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, January 2008, p. 281-285, Vol. 46, No. 1
0095-1137/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01153-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Harkinezhad, T., Verminnen, K., De Buyzere, M., Rietzschel, E., Bekaert, S., Vanrompay, D. (2009). Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci infections in a human population in contact with domestic and companion birds. J Med Microbiol 58: 1207-1212 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Mitchell, S. L., Wolff, B. J., Thacker, W. L., Ciembor, P. G., Gregory, C. R., Everett, K. D. E., Ritchie, B. W., Winchell, J. M. (2009). Genotyping of Chlamydophila psittaci by Real-Time PCR and High-Resolution Melt Analysis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 47: 175-181 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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