Prevalence and genotypes of Chlamydia psittaci in pet birds of Hong Kong

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 9; p. e0306528
• Main Authors: Ko, Jackie Cheuk Kei, Choi, Yannes Wai Yan, Poon, Emily Shui Kei, Wyre, Nicole, Go, Jennifer Le Lin, Poon, Leo Lit Man, Sin, Simon Yung Wa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 06.09.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Antibiotics; Bird Diseases - epidemiology; Bird Diseases - microbiology; Birds; Birds - microbiology; Care and treatment; Chlamydia; Chlamydia psittaci; Chlamydophila psittaci - genetics; Chlamydophila psittaci - isolation & purification; Diagnosis; Disease; Disease transmission; Dosage and administration; Feces; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Geographical locations; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Households; Infections; Influenza; Parrots; Pets; Pets - microbiology; Phylogeny; Pneumonia; Polymerase chain reaction; Population density; Prevalence; Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); Proteins; Psittacosis; Psittacosis - epidemiology; Psittacosis - microbiology; Psittacosis - veterinary; Research ethics; Respiratory failure; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sheep; STD; Zoonoses; Hong Kong; Hong Kong China; Asia; United States > US; China
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306528

Psittacosis, or parrot fever, is a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia species associated with birds. One of the causative agents of the disease is Chlamydia psittaci, which is commonly carried by psittacine and other bird species, can be highly pathogenic and virulent to humans. In Hong Kong, a city with high population density, psittacosis is a notifiable disease with over 60% of cases in the last decade resulting in hospitalization. However, the sources of transmission of C. psittaci and its prevalence in pet birds in Hong Kong are currently unknown. To evaluate the risks of psittacosis transmission through pet birds, we tested the presence of C. psittaci and determined its genotypes in samples obtained from 516 captive birds from households, pet shops, and a veterinary hospital in Hong Kong. Results revealed that five samples (0.97%), collected from budgerigars and cockatiels, were C. psittaci-positive, while four (80%) of them were obtained from pet shops. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that all identified strains belonged to Genotype A and showed high similarity to other sequences of this genotype obtained from various geographical locations and host species, including mammals. Our findings provide evidence for the presence of Chlamydia psittaci and shed light on its sources in captive birds in Hong Kong. They highlight the potential zoonotic risks associated with this pathogen, which can affect both humans and wild birds.