Background: In 2021, a novel group of Chlamydia strains in wild birds was classified as avian Chlamydia abortus, with unknown zoonotic potential. We report relevant features of avian C abortus infections from a Dutch family cluster and unrelated historical cases using clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological data.

Methods: An outbreak of avian C abortus started in the Netherlands in December, 2022. Source investigation was done using questionnaires to interview patients and environmental sampling. The outbreak strain of avian C abortus was cultured from three patients from whom sufficient material was available for culture and underwent whole-genome analysis. The outbreak strains and retrospective cohort study strains previously submitted to the National Human Psittacosis surveillance programme in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2022 were typed by partial ompA sequencing. Strains with the same aberrant ompA genotype were further analysed with XerC gene plasmid analysis and compared with closely related Chlamydia sequences available in GenBank.

Findings: An avian C abortus strain caused a cluster of respiratory illness in four family members. Three patients were hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, one of whom was admitted to the intensive care unit. The faeces of wild birds were considered a probable source for the index infection. For two family members, human-to-human transmission was a plausible route. Ten historical cases could be identified with avian C abortus with the same ompA genotype. All patients had been admitted to hospital, at least five developed pneumonia, and one died.

Interpretation: This cluster supports that avian C abortus strains can cause human infections and underlines that human-to-human transmission should be considered when tracing the source of such infections.

Funding: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.

Translation: For the Dutch translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00529-2DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

avian abortus
24
avian chlamydia
8
abortus
8
chlamydia abortus
8
community-acquired pneumonia
8
retrospective cohort
8
cohort study
8
wild birds
8
historical cases
8
three patients
8

Similar Publications

Circulation of avian Chlamydia abortus in the Netherlands and community-acquired pneumonia: an outbreak investigation and retrospective cohort study.

Lancet Infect Dis

October 2024

Department of Medical Microbiology (and reference laboratory for human chlamydia infections from animal origin), Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands.

Background: In 2021, a novel group of Chlamydia strains in wild birds was classified as avian Chlamydia abortus, with unknown zoonotic potential. We report relevant features of avian C abortus infections from a Dutch family cluster and unrelated historical cases using clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological data.

Methods: An outbreak of avian C abortus started in the Netherlands in December, 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates chlamydial infections in asymptomatic horses in Sardinia, noting a connection to reproductive disorders like abortion and infertility seen in some horses.
  • - Out of 60 horses sampled, various swabs tested positive for chlamydial DNA, indicating the presence of pathogen strains closely related to known species in the family.
  • - Findings point to the potential role of chlamydia in reproductive issues in the equine population in Sardinia, suggesting further research is needed to confirm these results and address prevention measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Detection of a novel genotype of Chlamydia buteonis in falcons from the Emirates.

Vet Microbiol

April 2024

Anses, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France. Electronic address:

Chlamydiaceae are a family of obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that affect both humans and animals. Recently, a new species named Chlamydia (C.) buteonis was isolated from hawks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Belgian Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study on Zoonotic Avian spp. in Chickens.

Microorganisms

January 2024

Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

, and are the most common spp. in chickens and have a confirmed or suggested zoonotic potential. No recent data are available on their prevalence and impact in the Belgian chicken industry or in the recreational chicken branch.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

New insight on chlamydiae.

J Vet Res

December 2023

Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, Puławy, Poland.

This article provides an overview of the current knowledge on chlamydiae, which are intracellular bacteria belonging to the family. Whole-genome sequencing leads to great increases in the available data about spp. Recently, novel chlamydial taxons in various hosts living in different environments have been recognised.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!