Molecular Survey of Chlamydial Infections in Three Public Bird Collections in Tehran, Iran

Avian Chlamydia spp. are capable of infecting different avian species and potentially cause the loss of valuable birds in rehabilitation facilities and zoos. They also pose a potential zoonotic risk to visitors and workers at such centres.

This study aimed to assess the occurrence of chlamydia in two different public aviaries and a rehabilitation centre.

One hundred and eight samples from 48 different avian species belonging to 11 different orders were collected. These samples were tested for chlamydia infection by detecting the Chlamydia 16s rRNA gene using polymerase chain reaction.

Thirty-seven samples were positive for Chlamydia DNA. High infection rates were detected in Psittaciformes (60%) and Columbiformes (77.8%). These findings indicate the relatively high frequency of chlamydial infections in birds of these orders. The occurrence of this infection in Falconiformes was 33.3%. Galliformes species investigated in this study had a lower occurrence (16.7%) of chlamydial infection. The only sample taken from the Charadriiformes order belonging to the yellow-footed gull was tested positive. A relatively high rate of infection with chlamydial agents was demonstrated in this study.

Regarding the close contact of infected animals with both workers and visitors, these findings are alarming. The affected aviary centres must implement a strategy to monitor, detect and control the infection, as it poses a considerable public health risk. On the other hand, the infection of rehabilitating captive birds in rescue centres is particularly relevant because the infection might be reintroduced to endangered wild populations, posing a conservation and environmental hazard.