engleski

Long-term study of chlamydophilosis in Slovenia

Immune reactivity for Chlamydophila psittaci in Slovenia was monitored in parrots, canaries, finches and nine species of recently captured free-living birds (house sparrows, Eurasian goldfinches, tree sparrows, chaffinches, Euopean greenfinches, European serines, Eurasian siskins, Eurasian linnets and Eurasian bullfinches) for the period 1991 to 2001. In subsequent years, specific IgG antibodies were found using immunofluorescence in parrots (0.7 - 53.6%), canaries (0.0 - 3.5%), finches (0.0 - 5.7%) and in recently captured free-living birds (33.3% of Eurasian goldfinches in 1994). An experimental infection with Chlamydophila psittaci was performed in order to study clinical signs and pathological changes of canaries and finches after infection. Chlamydophila psittaci strains used for experimental infection were isolated from cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and genotyped. Chlamydial DNA was extracted from original material followed by RFLP-PCR analysis. Infection of canaries and finches was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and modified staining method of Gimenez using organ smears and imprints. In addition, serological methods as indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation were applied. However, in spite of positive immunological reaction there were no clinical signs of chlamydial infection three weeks after infection. The present study includes also results of serological survey of persons belonging to the most important risk groups (breeders, pet's shopkeepers and veterinarians) exposed to infection with Chlamydophila psittaci. The results of microimmunofluorescence identifying the presence of specific antibodies and correlation between appearance of infection in birds and important risk groups are presented. Among the 143 persons belonging to the most important risk groups we found 10 (7%) persons who were immunologically reactive. Testing of two successive samples was used to demonstrate an increase of IgG and IgA. However, IgM characteristic for the acute infection could not be detected.

Chlamydophila psittaci; birds; Slovenia

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