Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model
Published on: July 29, 2012
Online parrot trade as a source of psittacosis caused by a novel Chlamydia psittaci ST388
Wenwu Yao1,2, Guoxiang Shi2, Kai Song1
1State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, AMMS, Beijing, China.
Introduction:
The direct zoonotic risks associated with the growing online trade of live pets remain in adequately understood.
Methods:
We investigate a human case of severe psittacotic pneumonia in Zhejiang Province, China, in which the patient's only avian exposure was through parrots recently purchased online. Using targeted probe-capture sequencing-a method designed for uncultivable, low-biomass pathogens-we recovered 13 high-quality Chlamydia psittaci genomes directly from the patient, the asymptomatic parrots, and their shared home environment.
Results:
Comparative genomic analysis revealed >99.99% average nucleotide identity across all samples, providing definitive evidence of parrot-to-human transmission. The causative strain was identified as a novel sequence type (ST388) within the known virulent genotype A.
Conclusion:
This investigation provides the first whole-genome confirmation of psittacosis transmission via online pet commerce. It establishes a practical genomic framework for investigating similar sporadic zoonoses and underscores the urgent need for targeted surveillance of this emerging and risk communication in this growing digital marketplace.
More Related Videos
08:46Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field
Published on: August 2, 2011
09:01The Bovine Lung in Biomedical Research: Visually Guided Bronchoscopy, Intrabronchial Inoculation and In Vivo Sampling Techniques
Published on: July 3, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae
Diversity of Protists II
Atypical Pneumonia
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes