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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #84910
Title: CHLAMYDIOSIS IN CAPTIVE WHITE-WINGED DOVES (ZENAIDA ASIATICA)

Author
item GRIMES, JAMES - TX VET. LAB., COLL. STAT.
item SMALL, MICHAEL - TX A&M UNIV., KINGSVILLE
item FRENCH, LEWANNE - AN. MED. CLINIC, TX
item SNEED, LOYD - TX VET. LAB., COLL. STAT.
item Andersen, Arthur

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Chlamydiae are a group of bacteria that infect birds, animals, humans. They are known to cause enteritis, conjunctivitis, arthritis, pneumonia, and reproductive problems. There are over 50 strains, most of which have a limited disease and host range. It is important to know the host range and the reservoirs of the different strains to understand the potential risk to other animals and humans. Chlamydia was isolated from a breeding flock of white-winged doves. The isolate was serotyped as Chlamydia psittaci serovar B, which has been isolated from white-winged doves in the wild and is commonly isolated from pigeons. Chlamydia psittaci serovar B has been known to produce a severe pneumonia in humans and abortions in cattle. The results show that white-winged doves are a potential reservoir of serovar B and must be considered by physicians, veterinarians, and livestock producers as a potential source of chlamydia for humans and cattle.

Technical Abstract: Chlamydia psittaci was isolated from the spleen of a moribund white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica). The isolate as serotyped as the serovar B that is commonly isolated from pigeons. A Fourfold increase in the titer of antichlamydial IgM activity occurred in that bird in paired serum samples tested by chlamydial elementary body agglutination (EBA) and a greater than nor equal to fourfold decrease of IgG occurred by direct complement fixatio (DCF). The increases or decreases of EBA and DCF titers in other clinically ill birds that were treated with tetracycline varied, as normally occurs in cases of avian chlamydiosis. Titers in clinically normal birds were consistent with past infections. These birds were from a captive group of about 200 birds to be used for breeding and reproduction research. A small sample of recently caught wild birds was serologically negative for chlamydial antibody activity.