Poster presented in International Meeting on Emerging Diseases and Surveillance 2009

February 13^rd, 2009

Perez-Sancho M., Alvarez J., Garcia N., Gonzalez S., Martinez I., Camara JM., Dominguez L. and Goyache J.

Avian Chlamydiosis, a systematic and occasionally fatal disease in birds, is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci. Chamydial infections have been also reported in mammals (including humans), reptiles and amphibians. Efforts to detect and identify chlamydial species are important because they do not only cause disease but also interact synergistically with viruses or with other bacteria, increasing the virulence of these. Among the possible sources of chlamydial infections for humans, peridomestic birds such as pigeons represent a potential risk due to their increasing population in urban areas. However, there are only few studies describing the prevalence of this zoonosic pathogen in these hosts species. The objective of the present study was to determine if Chlamydophila
psittaci was present in the population of pigeons from the city of Madrid,and to estimate its prevalence. A total of 115 pigeons were captured from different areas of Madrid and in different months, euthanized and sampled in the period 2007–2008. Pharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected from all animals, and subjected to DNA extraction protocols. DNA samples were later analyzed using a specific PCR. Only one sample was positive at the PCR analysis, yielding an apparent prevalence of 0,87% (C.I. 95%: 0,02-4,75). Our data are in disagreement with previous studies performed by PCR detection of Chlamydophila DNA on feral pigeonʼs samples in other cities, which reported higher prevalences (ranging from 5 to 23%). These differences could be explained in part due to differences in the sampling seasons, as shedding occurs intermittently in infected animals and can be activated by stress factors present mostly in certain times of the year (such as breeding). In summary, our data suggest that Chlamydophila psittaci is present in the pigeon population of Madrid but with a low incidence. However, due to the zoonosic nature of this pathogen, surveillance programs for the detection of its presence on peridomestic animals that can act as reservoirs for humans are highly recommended.

	Servicio de Zoonosis Emergentes, de Baja Prevalencia y Agresivos Biológicos (NED). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).