Molecular study for detection of Chlamydia psittaci in feces of pigeons in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province

Chlamydophila psittaci is a lethal intracellular bacterial species that causes endemic avian chlamydiosis, epizootic outbreaks in mammals, and respiratory psittacosis in humans. Chlamydia psittaci is a gram negative bacterium that can be transmitted from pet birds to humans. It is known that pigeons, like many other bird species, can harbor Chlamydia psittaci. The study aimed to determine the molecular frequency of Chlamydia psittaci in feces of pigeons in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province using PCR technique. 300 feces samples of pigeons were collected from Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province's townships. Genomic DNA was extracted directly from specimens. PCR was performed using specific primers for investigation of ompA gene of Chlamydia psittaci. The analyses demonstrated a high frequency of Chlamydia psittaci (14.33%) among the tested samples. The highest and lowest frequencies of the bacterial infection were observed in Kiar and Lordegan cities with 16.66 and 8%, respectively. The results of the present study indicated that Chlamydia psittaci infections are highly prevalent amongst pigeons of Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province. According to these findings, examination of pigeons and wild birds for control and prevention of the distribution of this pathogen it seems to be necessary in order to control the infectious agent and then, to prevent the economic losses and health hazards.