Chlamydia psittaci Screening of Animal Workers from Argentina Exposed to Carrier Birds.

Different syndromes are involved in human psittacosis (flu-like syndrome, atypical pneumonia up to lacrimal gland lymphoma). Diagnostic methods include serology, culture, and PCR. The rate of Chlamydia psittaci (Cp) positive tests among exposed workers is still unknown. Our study aimed to assess the rate of positive tests among workers who have contact with carrier birds in natural reserves from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Secondary aims were to analyze risk factors linked to these outcomes and the occurrence of signs that suggest psittacosis. Nasopharyngeal swabs and serum pairs were collected from employees who had interacted with confirmed carrier birds. Those with detectable DNA of Cp and/or anti-Chlamydia spp. antibody baseline titer ≥ 160 mUI/ml, or at least quadruplicating, were considered positive. Activities performed with or near birds, personal protective equipment use, and previous chronic conditions were assessed. Possible Cp-related pathologies were evaluated during follow-up. A total of 63 exposed workers (71.4% men) with a median age of 35.7 years (IQR 26-39) were evaluated to detect 28.6% positives. Respiratory chronic conditions were the unique factor associated with positive tests (OR 5.2 [1.5-18.5] p < .05). Surprisingly, about a third of the workers resulted positive and all responded to medical treatment, none developing an acute atypical pneumonia syndrome associated with classical presentation of psittacosis. Active testing for early diagnosis and proper treatment in zoological workers exposed to carrier or potentially carrier birds is strongly suggested as part of zoonotic diseases preventive measures.

Detección y caracterización molecular de Chlamydia psittaci y Chlamydia abortus en psitácidos mascotas en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Detection and molecular characterization of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus in psittacine pet birds in Buenos Aires province, Argentina

In order to determine the presence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia spp. in the north-eastern area of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, conjunctival, oropharyngeal, cloacal swab and tissues were collected from a total of 90 psittacine pet birds of different age and clinical manifestations. Through molecular methods, Chlamydiaceae was detected in 30% (27/90) of the samples, out of which 70.3% (19/27) were positive for Chlamydia psittaci and 14.9% (4/27) for Chlamydia abortus. Nine C. psittaci positive samples were genotyped by ompA gene sequences, 8 clustered within genotype A and 1 within genotype B. A significant association was observed between the presence of Chlamydia spp. and the manifestation of clinical signs compatible with chlamydiosis, as well as with the age of the birds (younger than one year old). This report contributes to the improvement of our understanding of chlamydial agents in our country.

Con el objetivo de determinar la presencia de Chlamydia spp. en psitácidos del área noreste de la provincia de Buenos Aires y conocer su diversidad genética, se recolectaron y analizaron mediante métodos moleculares hisopados conjuntivales, orofaríngeos, cloacales y tejidos de un total de 90 psitácidos de diferentes edades y con diversas manifestaciones clínicas. El 30% (27/90) de las muestras procesadas fueron positivas para Chlamydiaceae; el 70,3% (19/27) de estas resultaron positivas para Chlamydia psittaci y el 14,9% (4/27) para Chlamydia abortus. Nueve muestras positivas para C. psittaci fueron genotipificadas por secuenciación del gen ompA: 8 correspondieron al genotipo Ay una al genotipo B. Se observó una asociación significativa entre la presencia de Chlamydia spp. y la manifestación de signos clínicos compatibles con clamidiosis, como así también con la edad de las aves (menores de un ano). Este informe contribuye a mejorar nuestro conocimiento de los agentes clamidiales en nuestro país.

Detection and molecular characterization of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus in psittacine pet birds in Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

In order to determine the presence and genetic diversity of Chlamydia spp. in the north-eastern area of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, conjunctival, oropharyngeal, cloacal swab and tissues were collected from a total of 90 psittacine pet birds of different age and clinical manifestations. Through molecular methods, Chlamydiaceae was detected in 30% (27/90) of the samples, out of which 70.3% (19/27) were positive for Chlamydia psittaci and 14.9% (4/27) for Chlamydia abortus. Nine C. psittaci positive samples were genotyped by ompA gene sequences, 8 clustered within genotype A and 1 within genotype B. A significant association was observed between the presence of Chlamydia spp. and the manifestation of clinical signs compatible with chlamydiosis, as well as with the age of the birds (younger than one year old). This report contributes to the improvement of our understanding of chlamydial agents in our country.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci from 8 human cases of psittacosis and 4 related birds in Argentina / Características epidemiológicas y moleculares de Chlamydia psittaci provenientes de 8 casos humanos de psitacosis y de 4 aves relacionadas en la Argentina

In Argentina, the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci infections are still not sufficiently known. A total of 846 respiratory and 10 ocular samples from patients with suspected human psittacosis were tested for C. psittaci from January 2010 to March 2015. Four samples of birds related to these patients were also studied. Forty-eight samples were positive for C. psittaci by a nested PCR. The molecular characterization of twelve C. psittaci PCR-positive samples received in the National Reference Laboratory INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed. Eight positive samples from humans and four from birds were genotyped by ompA gene sequencing. C. psittaci genotype A was found in all human samples and in the related birds. This report contributes to our increasing knowledge of the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of C. psittaci to conduct effective surveillance of its zoonotic infections.

En la Argentina, aún no se conocen suficientemente las características epidemiológicas y moleculares de las infecciones por Chlamydia psittaci. Entre enero del 2010 y marzo del 2015 se estudiaron 846 muestras respiratorias y 10 oculares de pacientes con sospecha de psitacosis para la búsqueda de C. psittaci. También se estudiaron 4 muestras de aves relacionadas con estos pacientes. De ese total, 48 muestras fueron positivas para C. psittaci mediante una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) anidada. Posteriormente, se realizó en el INEI-ANLIS «Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán¼ la caracterización molecular de 12 muestras positivas para C. psittaci, 8 de humanos y 4 de aves, que fueron genotipificadas por secuenciación del gen ompA. C. psittaci genotipo A se encontró en todas esas muestras. Este informe contribuye a mejorar nuestro conocimiento de las características epidemiológicas y moleculares de C. psittaci para lograr una vigilancia efectiva de la zoonosis que produce.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci from 8 human cases of psittacosis and 4 related birds in Argentina.

In Argentina, the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci infections are still not sufficiently known. A total of 846 respiratory and 10 ocular samples from patients with suspected human psittacosis were tested for C. psittaci from January 2010 to March 2015. Four samples of birds related to these patients were also studied. Forty-eight samples were positive for C. psittaci by a nested PCR. The molecular characterization of twelve C. psittaci PCR-positive samples received in the National Reference Laboratory INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed. Eight positive samples from humans and four from birds were genotyped by ompA gene sequencing. C. psittaci genotype A was found in all human samples and in the related birds. This report contributes to our increasing knowledge of the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of C. psittaci to conduct effective surveillance of its zoonotic infections.

Eco-epidemiología de las Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pneumoniae y Chlamydia pecorum: impacto en la salud pública / Eco Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia pecorum: impact on public healthpneumoniae by in vitro neutralization and microimmunofluorescence assays. Zentralbl Bakteriol 1996; 284(1):52-57.20. Phoon MC, Yee GW, Koh WP, Chow VT. Comparative Seroepidemiologic Analysis of Chlamydophila pneumoniae Infection using Microimmunofluorescence, Enzyme Immunoassay and Neutr

ntroducción: Las infecciones zoonóticas son una creciente amenaza para la salud mundial. Varias especies de Chlamydia y sus implicancias son poco conocidas. Objetivo: Profundizar el conocimiento eco-epidemiológico de Chla-mydia en Córdoba.Materiales y métodos: Se implementaron técnicas serológicas y mo-leculares para la detección de Chlamydia en 314 individuos sanos, 44 con nexo epidemiológico asociado a Psitacosis, 505 aves silvestres, 288 aves cautivas, 30 reptiles y 30 equinos. Resultados: En humanos se detectó C. pneumoniae, C. pecorum, C. psittaci, y co-infecciones asociadas a mayor cuantificación bac-teriana. La prevalencia de anticuerpos en indivi-duos sanos fue de 14,3 % y en pacientes 68,2 %. Se evidenció una respuesta inmune exacerbada en trabajadores en contacto con reptiles infectados con C. pneumoniae. En aves cautivas se identificó C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. pecorum, C. galliná-cea y co-infecciones con mayor concentración de ADN. Las aves silvestres no excretaban Chlamydia. En equinos se halló C. pneumoniae, también en Su-ricata suricatta y Atelerix albiventris. El genotipo A se halló en humanos, reptiles, aves, mamíferos no humanos y B en equinos. Conclusiones: C. psittaci genotipo WC se detectó en aves y humanos; en menor frecuencia los genotipos E/B y A. Este hallazgo sugiere que los animales pueden representar una fuente subestimada de C. psittaci. El hallazgo de C. pneumoniae y C. pecorum en pacientes y en animales, plantea posibles ciclos zoonóticos y la necesidad de diagnóstico diferencial. Estos resultados avalaron el decreto de ley provincial de tenencia y comercialización de animales, promovido por la Secretaría de Am-biente de Córdoba

Introduction: Zoonotic infections are a growing threat to global health. Chlamydia and its implications are not well known.The aim of this study was to further the eco-epidemiological knowledge of Chlamydia in Cordoba.Materials and methods: Serological and molecular techniques was implemented for detection of Chlamydia in 314 healthy individuals, 44 individuals associated with Psittacosis, 505 wild birds, 288 captive birds, 30 reptiles and 30 equine.Results: In humans were detected C. pneumoniae, C. pecorum, C. psittaci and co-infections associated with increased bacterial quantification.The prevalence of antibodies in healthy individuals was 14.3% and 68.2% patients. Exacerbated immune response was detected in workers with contact infected with C. pneumoniae evidenced reptiles.In captive birds we detected C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, C. pecorum, C. gallinácea and co-infections with the highest concentration of DNA. Wild birds did not excrete Chlamydia.In horses we found C. pneumoniae, also in Suricata suricatta and Atelerix albiventris. The genotype was found in humans, reptiles, birds, mammals and non-human equine B.Conclusions: C. psittaci WC genotype was detected in birds and humans; less frequently genotypes E/B and A. This finding suggests that animals can be a source of C. psittaci underestimated.The discovery of C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum in patients and animals raises potential zoonotic cycles and the need for differential diagnosis.These results endorsed the decree of provincial law to possess and marketing of animals, promoted by Secretaría de Ambiente de Córdoba

Genetic diversity of Chlamydia among captive birds from central Argentina.

To study the occurrence of Chlamydia spp. and their genetic diversity, we analysed 793 cloacal swabs from 12 avian orders, including 76 genera, obtained from 80 species of asymptomatic wild and captive birds that were examined with conventional nested polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Chlamydia spp. were not detected in wild birds; however, four species (Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia gallinacea) were identified among captive birds (Passeriformes, n = 20; Psittaciformes, n = 15; Rheiformes, n = 8; Falconiformes n = 2; Piciformes n = 2; Anseriformes n = 1; Galliformes n = 1; Strigiformes n = 1). Two pathogens (C. pneumoniae and C. pecorum) were identified simultaneously in samples obtained from captive birds. Based on nucleotide-sequence variations of the ompA gene, three C. psittaci-positive samples detected were grouped into a cluster with the genotype WC derived from mammalian hosts. A single positive sample was phylogenetically related to a new strain of C. gallinacea. This report contributes to our increasing understanding of the abundance of Chlamydia in the animal kingdom.

[Community-acquired pneumonia in patients in 2 hospital populations]. / Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en dos poblaciones hospitalarias.

Patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia were studied prospectively in two hospitals located in the surroundings of Buenos Aires city. Fifty two patients from General Hospital Manuel Belgrano (HMB) were included from March 1998 to February 1999 and 23 patients from Hospital Dr A. Cetrangolo (HCET) for respiratory disease, were included from June 2000 to May 2001. Patients with lung tuberculosis, lung neoplasia and HIV infection were excluded. Clinical background, signs and symptoms were recorded. Microbiological examinations performed included bacteria, respiratory viruses and mycobacteria. Studies for "atypical" bacteria (Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella spp.) were carried out by serological methods. No differences in age and gender were observed between both groups. Most frequently observed comorbidities in the HMB group included COPD, diabetes and cardiac failure while in the HCET group these were COPD, asthma and lung fibrosis. Etiology was established in 48% and 65.2% of the patients in the first and second group, respectively. Most frequent agents were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza A and Legionella spp.; the last one was detected in 12% of the patients. Most of these patients were from HMB and presented a good outcome. Mortality was similar in both groups (13.3%). In the HBM group it was related to the presence of comorbidities in 7 out of 8 cases, and in the HCET group it was a consequence of the worsening of their chronic respiratory failure.

Neumonia adquirida en la comunidad en dos poblaciones hospitalarias / Community-acquired pneumonia in patients from two different hospitals

Patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia were studied prospectively in two hospitals located in the surroundings of Buenos Aires city. Fifty two patients from General Hospital Manuel Belgrano (HMB) were included from March 1998 to February 1999 and 23 patients from Hospital Dr A. Cetrangolo (HCET) for respiratory disease, were included from June 2000 to May 2001. Patients with lung tuberculosis, lung neoplasia and HIV infection were excluded. Clinical background, signs and symptoms were recorded. Microbiological examinations performed included bacteria, respiratory viruses and mycobacteria. Studies for "atypical" bacteria (Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella spp.) were carried out by serological methods. No differences in age and gender were observed between both groups. Most frequently observed comorbidities in the HMB group included COPD, diabetes and cardiac failure while in the HCET group these were COPD, asthma and lung fibrosis. Etiology was established in 48% and 65.2% of the patients in the first and second group, respectively. Most frequent agents were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza A and Legionella spp.; the last one was detected in 12% of the patients. Most of these patients were from HMB and presented a good outcome. Mortality was similar in both groups (13.3%). In the HBM group it was related to the presence of comorbidities in 7 out of 8 cases, and in the HCET group it was a consequence of the worsening of their chronic respiratory failure

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en dos poblaciones hospitalarias. / [Community-acquired pneumonia in patients in 2 hospital populations]

Patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia were studied prospectively in two hospitals located in the surroundings of Buenos Aires city. Fifty two patients from General Hospital Manuel Belgrano (HMB) were included from March 1998 to February 1999 and 23 patients from Hospital Dr A. Cetrangolo (HCET) for respiratory disease, were included from June 2000 to May 2001. Patients with lung tuberculosis, lung neoplasia and HIV infection were excluded. Clinical background, signs and symptoms were recorded. Microbiological examinations performed included bacteria, respiratory viruses and mycobacteria. Studies for [quot ]atypical[quot ] bacteria (Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella spp.) were carried out by serological methods. No differences in age and gender were observed between both groups. Most frequently observed comorbidities in the HMB group included COPD, diabetes and cardiac failure while in the HCET group these were COPD, asthma and lung fibrosis. Etiology was established in 48

and 65.2

of the patients in the first and second group, respectively. Most frequent agents were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza A and Legionella spp.; the last one was detected in 12

of the patients. Most of these patients were from HMB and presented a good outcome. Mortality was similar in both groups (13.3

). In the HBM group it was related to the presence of comorbidities in 7 out of 8 cases, and in the HCET group it was a consequence of the worsening of their chronic respiratory failure.

Neumonia adquirida en la comunidad en dos poblaciones hospitalarias / Community-acquired pneumonia in patients from two different hospitals

Patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia were studied prospectively in two hospitals located in the surroundings of Buenos Aires city. Fifty two patients from General Hospital Manuel Belgrano (HMB) were included from March 1998 to February 1999 and 23 patients from Hospital Dr A. Cetrangolo (HCET) for respiratory disease, were included from June 2000 to May 2001. Patients with lung tuberculosis, lung neoplasia and HIV infection were excluded. Clinical background, signs and symptoms were recorded. Microbiological examinations performed included bacteria, respiratory viruses and mycobacteria. Studies for "atypical" bacteria (Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Legionella spp.) were carried out by serological methods. No differences in age and gender were observed between both groups. Most frequently observed comorbidities in the HMB group included COPD, diabetes and cardiac failure while in the HCET group these were COPD, asthma and lung fibrosis. Etiology was established in 48% and 65.2% of the patients in the first and second group, respectively. Most frequent agents were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza A and Legionella spp.; the last one was detected in 12% of the patients. Most of these patients were from HMB and presented a good outcome. Mortality was similar in both groups (13.3%). In the HBM group it was related to the presence of comorbidities in 7 out of 8 cases, and in the HCET group it was a consequence of the worsening of their chronic respiratory failure (AU)