@article{mbs:/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.47157-0, author = "Harkinezhad, Taher and Verminnen, Kristel and Van Droogenbroeck, Caroline and Vanrompay, Daisy", title = "Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans", journal= "Journal of Medical Microbiology", year = "2007", volume = "56", number = "8", pages = "1097-1100", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.47157-0", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.47157-0", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1473-5644", type = "Journal Article", keywords = "EIA, enzyme immunoassay", keywords = "MOMP, major outer membrane protein", abstract = "Thirty-six birds from a parrot relief and breeding centre, as well as the manager, were examined for the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci. In the relief unit, 5 of 20 African grey parrots showed depression, ruffled feathers, loss of weight and mild dyspnoea. The birds received no antibiotic treatment. Birds of the breeding unit, 14 blue and gold macaws and 2 green-winged macaws, were healthy. They received doxycycline at the start of each breeding season. The manager complained of shortness of breath but took no medication. Using a nested PCR enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Cp. psittaci was detected in the faeces of all five sick birds, as well as in a nasal and pharyngeal swab from the manager. The veterinarian and her assistant became infected while sampling the parrots, as pharyngeal and nasal swabs from both were positive by nested PCR/EIA after visiting the parrot relief and breeding centre, but they showed no clinical signs of infection. Bacteria could be isolated from three of five nested PCR/EIA-positive birds, the manager and the veterinarian, but not from the veterinary assistant. Using an ompA genotype-specific real-time PCR, Cp. psittaci genotype E/B was identified as the transmitted strain. All breeding birds tested negative for Cp. psittaci. This is believed to be the first report on Cp. psittaci genotype E/B transmission from parrots to humans. In contradiction to genotype A strains, which are thought to be highly virulent to both birds and men, the currently described genotype E/B strain apparently caused no severe clinical symptoms in either parrots or humans.", }