Chlamydophila psittaci: Difference between revisions

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==Classification==
==Classification==
 
[[Image:Mmi 867 f7.gif|frame|none|right|Immunofluorescence microscopy of C. psittaci GPIC-infected HeLa cells at 30 h PI. [[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/na102/home/ACS/publisher/synergy/journals/production/mmi/1998/28/5/j.1365-2958.1998.00867.x/images/large/mmi_867_f7.gif Copyrighted by: Bannantine, J. P.]]]]
===Higher order taxa===
===Higher order taxa===


Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family
Superkingdom: Bacteria, Superphylum: Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia group, Phylum: Chlamydiae, Class: Chlamydiae, Order: Chlamydiales, Family: Chlamydiaceae, Genus: Chlamydophila; Species: Chlamydophila psittaci (4)


===Species===
===Species===
Chlamydophila psittaci
''Chlamydophila psittaci''
 
previously known as ''Chlamydia psittaci''


==Description and significance==
==Description and significance==
Chlamydophila psittaci is an obligate, intracellular, gram negative bacteria that occur as a parasite in eukaryotic cells. These cells are coccoid and non-motile, with sizes ranging from 0.2-1.5 m. The cylamydial cell envelope lacks peptidoglycan, but instead has an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide and a cytoplasmic membrane bilayer. (1,6,7)
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is an obligate, intracellular, gram negative bacteria that occur as a parasite in eukaryotic cells. These cells are coccoid and non-motile, with sizes ranging from 0.2-1.5 m. The cylamydial cell envelope lacks peptidoglycan, but instead has an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide and a cytoplasmic membrane bilayer. (1,6,7)


Chlamydophila psittaci causes a systemic infectious disease, psittacosis, in the parrot family and other avian species. Chlamydophila psittaci is present in feces, nasal secretions, and feathers of infected birds and the bacterium may be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust from the contaminated bird. In 1930, the largest epidemic of psittacosis affected 750-800 individuals leading to the isolation of C psittaci in Europe and the United States. A total of 923 human cases of psittacosis have been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1988 through 2003. (2,6,7)
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' causes a systemic infectious disease, psittacosis, in the parrot family and other avian species. ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is present in feces, nasal secretions, and feathers of infected birds. This bacteria may be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust from the contaminated bird. In 1930, the largest epidemic of psittacosis affected 750-800 individuals, which lead to the isolation of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' in Europe and the United States. A total of 923 human cases of psittacosis have been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1988 through 2003. The term psittacosis is derived from the Greek word for parrot. (2,6,7)


Chlamydophila psittaci, for many years, was confirmed through isolating the organism through cell culture and required scraping of cells from the site of infection of patients. New techniques of polymerase chain reaction and ligase chain reaction has improved detection of these specimens. Diagnostic techniques involved fluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunoassays. (6)
For many years, ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' was detected through the isolation of the organism through cell culture, which required scraping of bacterial cells from the site of infection of patients. New techniques of polymerase chain reaction and ligase chain reaction has improved detection of these specimens. These new diagnostic techniques involves fluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunoassays. (6)


Chlamydophila psittaci infection may be treated through antimicrobial therapy such as tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamides. (6)
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' infection may be treated through antimicrobial therapy such as tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamides. Mortality rate prior to antimicrobial treatment was approximately 15-20% and has decreased to less than 1% with appropriate antibiotic therapy. (3,6)


==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==
Describe the size and content of the genome.  How many chromosomes?  Circular or linear?  Other interesting features?  What is known about its sequence?
The complete genomic DNA sequences of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is still in progress of sequencing. The genomic DNA sequences of Chlamydiaceae have been published for C. trachomatis, C. muridarum, C. pneumoniae, C. caviae, and C. abortus. It is known that the family of Chlamydiaceae genomes are fairly conserved. The chromosome of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is therefore likely to be circular. The size and content of the genome has yet to be determined. Strains 6BC and E/B have been identified. ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' contains a circular plasmid strain, pCpA1, that has been sequenced to be 7,553 nucleotide long. This plasmid was sequenced in 11/15/1991 at the University of Manchester. The plasmid contains genes to encode for the major outer membrane proteins. (5,9,12)
Does it have any plasmids?  Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
 
It is known that Omp genes encode for the outer membrane proteins, or polymorphic membrane proteins, and is important for the characteristic of Chlamydophila. The Omp1 outer membrane protein is involved in attachment and entry into host cells. The Omp2 cysteine-rich protein is important for reticular body to elementary body conversion. (6,14)


==Cell structure and metabolism==
==Cell structure and metabolism==
Chlamydophila psittaci has a major outer membrane protein (MOMP), consisting of predominately -sheet content, similar to the biochemical properties of porin protein. These channels are permeable to ATP and may be the route in which the bacterium takes advantage of nucleoside triphosphates. It is known that Chlamydophila psittaci obtain ATP and essential amino acids from the host cell. (6,8)
[[Image:Mmi2.gif‎ |frame|none|left|IDual immunofluorescence confocal microscopy of C. psittaci GPIC-infected HeLa cells with α-IncA and α-IncB. A is a GPIC inclusion stained with α-IncB; B is the same inclusion stained with α-IncA and C is the merged images.[[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/na102/home/ACS/publisher/synergy/journals/production/mmi/1998/28/5/j.1365-2958.1998.00867.x/images/large/mmi_867_f8.gif Copyrighted by: Bannantine, J. P.]]]]
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' have major outer membrane proteins (MOMP), consisting of predominately Beta-sheet content, similar in function to the biochemical properties of porin protein. These channels are permeable to ATP and may be the route in which the bacterium takes advantage of nucleoside triphosphates. Although ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' have no known mechanism to metabolize glucose as a source of energy, it is known that Chlamydophila psittaci can obtain ATP and essential amino acids from the host cell. (6,7,8)
 
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' cannot synthesize pyrimidines or purines de novo, so it must salvage these from its host. Though it can take up ATP, GTP, and TTP directly from host cells. It may not, however, take up UTP, CTP, dATP, dGTP, or dCTP from the host cell, and may not salvage exogenously supplied uridine, cytidine, or deoxycytidine. The primary source of pyrimidine nucleotides is via the salvage of uracil by a uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. The ATP-GTP transport system and intracelullar enzymes allows for metabolism of adenine, adenosine, guanosine, and guanine. The TTP transport system and intraceullar enzymes allows for the metabolism of uracil, deoxyuridine, thymine, and thymidine. In addition, the parasite could incorporate exogenous thymidine and thymine into DNA. There is no interconversion of nucleotides within the cell.  (13,14)
 


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is a pathogen which interacts with parrots, parakeets, canaries, and other avian species. The bacteria may be transmitted to humans through handling of sick birds. Human to human transfer is uncommon, although possible. Certain breeds of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' may infect sheep, goats, and cows. This species does not have any direct contribution to the environment because it cannot live outside its host. (3)


==Pathology==
==Pathology==
Chlamydophila psittaci causes an infection through the respiratory system by using chlamydial elementary bodies to attach to the respiratory epithelial cells of the host and is engulfed through phagocytosis. Elementary bodies spread via the blood steam to the reticuloendothelial system and become reticulate bodies which depend on host cell ATP to grow. Within the inclusion of the host cell, reticular bodies under binary fission for 8-10 hours after infection and continue to divide for 20 hours. Reticular bodies give rise to elementary bodies after 20 hours of infection. After 48-72 hours, the cycle is completed and the infected host cell’s inclusion becomes filled with 10-1000 elementary bodies. Elementary bodies are released after lysis of cell and may infect fresh host cells.  (3,6,7)  
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' causes an infection through the respiratory system by using chlamydial elementary bodies to attach to the respiratory epithelial cells of the host and is engulfed through phagocytosis. Elementary bodies spread via the blood steam to the reticuloendothelial system and become reticulate bodies, which depend on host cell ATP to grow. Within the inclusion of the host cell, reticular bodies undergo binary fission for 8-10 hours after infection, and continue to divide for 20 hours. Reticular bodies give rise to elementary bodies after 20 hours of infection. After 48-72 hours, the development cycle is completed and the infected host cell’s inclusion becomes filled with 10-1000 elementary bodies. Elementary bodies are released through lysis of the cell and may then infect fresh host cells.  (3,6,7)  


Chlamydophila psittaci affects the parrot family and other avian species. Once infected, these species will be susceptible to symptoms such as appetite and weight loss, diarrhea, sinusitis, and respiratory distress. Humans contract the disease through handling sick birds. Symptoms in humans include fever, cough, dyspnea, mild phryngitis, epistaxis, severe headache, and pneumonia. Certain breeds of Chlamydophila psittaci may also infect sheep, goats, and cows. (3,6)
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' affects the parrot family and other avian species. Once infected, these species will be susceptible to symptoms such as appetite and weight loss, diarrhea, sinusitis, and respiratory distress. Humans contract the disease through handling sick birds. Symptoms in humans include fever, cough, dyspnea, mild phryngitis, epistaxis, severe headache, and pneumonia. Certain strains of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' may also infect sheep, goats, and cows. (3,6)


==Application to Biotechnology==
==Application to Biotechnology==
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes?  What are they and how are they used?
''Chlamydophila psittaci'' is not known to produce any useful compounds or enzymes. Due to its harmful pathogenic nature, studies have been developed to find proper vaccination against this bacteria. Current research have confirmed that the major outer membrane protein gene of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' may serve as a target for vaccination. (10)


==Current Research==
==Current Research==
'''July 2007 - Construction and immunogenicity of recombinant adenovirus expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydophila psittaci in chicks.'''
The first study explores the use of the major outer membrane protein encoded by the outer membrane protein 1 (omp1) gene, as a candidate for a vaccine against avian chlamydiosis. Pathogen free chicks were inoculated. Detection through an indirect hemagglutination test showed that these chicks generated antibodies against the major outer membrane protein of ''Chlamydophila psittaci''. 9 out of 10 vaccinated chicks were protected from the disease when challenged, whereas the control groups showed clinical signs of the disease when challenged. This study shows that the major outer membrane protein gene of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' may serve as a candidate vaccine against avian chlamydiosis. (10)
'''March 2007 - Chlamydiae and Atherosclerosis: Can Psittacine Cases Support the Link?'''
The second study examines whether Atherosclerosis, a common disease in birds, is caused by the pathogen ''Chlamydophila psittaci''. Out of 103 cases of advanced stages of atherosclerosis, only 4 (3.9%) were positive of chlamydiae in atherosclerotic tissue. Sequential analysis revealed high correlation (94%-100%) with ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' in three of the four cases. Because of the low occurrence  of chlamydiae in atherosclerotic tissue (3.9%) during advanced stages of Atherosclerosis, a relationship between chlamydiae and atherosclerosis in pet birds is improbable. (11)
'''August 2007 - Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans.'''


Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
The third study explores ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' genotype E/B transmission from parrots to humans. The presence of ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' was examined in a parrot relief and breeding center. 5 of 20 African grey parrots showed depression, ruffled feathers, loss of weight and mild dyspnoea. The manager also showed signs of shortness of breath. ''Chlamydophila psittaci'' genotype E/B was identified as the transmitted strain. It is believed that this is the first genotype E/B strain transmitted from parrot to human. Studies reveal that inheritance of the genotype E/B strain, in both parrots and humans, cause no severe clinical symptoms.(12)


==References==
==References==
[Sample reference] [http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489 Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "''Palaeococcus ferrophilus'' gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". ''International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology''. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.]
1. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=176678 Everett, K., Hatch, T. “Architecture of the Cell Envelope of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC.” ''Journal of Bacteriology''. 1995. Volume 177. No. 4. p. 877-882.]
 
2. [http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/13/7/1108.htm Vanrompay, D., Harkinezhad, T., Walle M., Beeckman D., Droogenbroeck, C., Verminnen, K., Leten, R., Martel, A., Cauwerts K. “Chlamydophila psittaci Transmission from Pet Birds to Humans.''Emerging Infectious Diseases''. 2007. Volume 13. p.1108-1110] 
 
3. [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1951.htm Lessnau, K., Arjomand F., “Psittacosis” 2006 May]
 
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=331636&lvl=3&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock
 
5. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=genome&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=15217 Chlamydophila psittaci plasmid pCpA1, complete sequence]


6. Lederberg, J., “Encyclopedia of Microbiology Second Edition A-C.” 2000. Volume 1. p. 781-787.
7. Singleton, P., Saisbury, D. “Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology 3rd Edition.” 2001. p 154.


1.Architecture of the Cell Envelope of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC
8. [http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/11/5202 Wyllie, S., Asley, R., Longbottom, D., Herring, A., “The Major Outer Membrane Protein of Chlamydophila psittaci Functions as a Porin-like Ion Channel.” 1998. Volume 66. No. 11. p. 5202-5207.]


2.Chlamydophila psittaci Transmission from Pet Birds to Humans
9. [http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/69/4/2428 Tanzer, R., Longbottom, D., Hatch, T., “Identification of Polymorphic Outer Membrane Proteins of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC" ''Infection and Immunity''. 2001. Vol. 69. No. 4. p. 2428-2434. ]


3.Emedicine psittacosis
10. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17640776&ordinalpos=5&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Zhou, J., Qiu., C., Cao, XA, Lin G., “Construction and immunogenicity of recombinant adenovirus expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydophila psittaci in chicks.” 2007]


4.http://www.chlamydiae.com/docs/Chlamydiales/ev_divergence.asp
11. [http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1637%2F0005-2086(2007)051%5B0008%3ACAACPC%5D2.0.CO%3B2 Schenker, OA, Hoop, RK. “Chlamydiae and atherosclerosis: can psittacine cases support the link? 2007]


5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=genome&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=15217
12. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17644718&ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Harkinezhad, T., Verminnen, K., Droogenbroeck, C., Vanrompay, D., “Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans.” 2007]


6.Encyclopedia of Microbiology Second Edition Volume 1 A-C pages (781-787) Year 2000 Lederberg, Joshua
13. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=204916 McClarty, G., Qin, B., "Pyrimidine metabolism by intracellular Chlamydia psittaci." ''Journal of Bacteriology''. 1993. Volume 175. No. 15. p. 4652-4661.]


7.Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology 3rd Edition Year 2001 Singleton, Paul and Sainsbury, Diana Pages 154.
14. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=204917 McClarty, G., Fan, H., "Purine metabolism by intracellular Chlamydia psittaci." ''Journal of Bacteriology''. 1993. Volume 175. No. 15. P. 4662-4669.]


8.http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/11/5202


Edited by Coleman Ho, student of [mailto:ralarsen@ucsd.edu Rachel Larsen]
Edited by Coleman Ho, student of [mailto:ralarsen@ucsd.edu Rachel Larsen]
Edited by KLB

Latest revision as of 03:16, 20 August 2010

This student page has not been curated.

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Chlamydophila psittaci

Classification

Immunofluorescence microscopy of C. psittaci GPIC-infected HeLa cells at 30 h PI. [Copyrighted by: Bannantine, J. P.]

Higher order taxa

Superkingdom: Bacteria, Superphylum: Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia group, Phylum: Chlamydiae, Class: Chlamydiae, Order: Chlamydiales, Family: Chlamydiaceae, Genus: Chlamydophila; Species: Chlamydophila psittaci (4)

Species

Chlamydophila psittaci

previously known as Chlamydia psittaci

Description and significance

Chlamydophila psittaci is an obligate, intracellular, gram negative bacteria that occur as a parasite in eukaryotic cells. These cells are coccoid and non-motile, with sizes ranging from 0.2-1.5 m. The cylamydial cell envelope lacks peptidoglycan, but instead has an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide and a cytoplasmic membrane bilayer. (1,6,7)

Chlamydophila psittaci causes a systemic infectious disease, psittacosis, in the parrot family and other avian species. Chlamydophila psittaci is present in feces, nasal secretions, and feathers of infected birds. This bacteria may be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust from the contaminated bird. In 1930, the largest epidemic of psittacosis affected 750-800 individuals, which lead to the isolation of Chlamydophila psittaci in Europe and the United States. A total of 923 human cases of psittacosis have been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1988 through 2003. The term psittacosis is derived from the Greek word for parrot. (2,6,7)

For many years, Chlamydophila psittaci was detected through the isolation of the organism through cell culture, which required scraping of bacterial cells from the site of infection of patients. New techniques of polymerase chain reaction and ligase chain reaction has improved detection of these specimens. These new diagnostic techniques involves fluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunoassays. (6)

Chlamydophila psittaci infection may be treated through antimicrobial therapy such as tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, and sulfonamides. Mortality rate prior to antimicrobial treatment was approximately 15-20% and has decreased to less than 1% with appropriate antibiotic therapy. (3,6)

Genome structure

The complete genomic DNA sequences of Chlamydophila psittaci is still in progress of sequencing. The genomic DNA sequences of Chlamydiaceae have been published for C. trachomatis, C. muridarum, C. pneumoniae, C. caviae, and C. abortus. It is known that the family of Chlamydiaceae genomes are fairly conserved. The chromosome of Chlamydophila psittaci is therefore likely to be circular. The size and content of the genome has yet to be determined. Strains 6BC and E/B have been identified. Chlamydophila psittaci contains a circular plasmid strain, pCpA1, that has been sequenced to be 7,553 nucleotide long. This plasmid was sequenced in 11/15/1991 at the University of Manchester. The plasmid contains genes to encode for the major outer membrane proteins. (5,9,12)

It is known that Omp genes encode for the outer membrane proteins, or polymorphic membrane proteins, and is important for the characteristic of Chlamydophila. The Omp1 outer membrane protein is involved in attachment and entry into host cells. The Omp2 cysteine-rich protein is important for reticular body to elementary body conversion. (6,14)

Cell structure and metabolism

IDual immunofluorescence confocal microscopy of C. psittaci GPIC-infected HeLa cells with α-IncA and α-IncB. A is a GPIC inclusion stained with α-IncB; B is the same inclusion stained with α-IncA and C is the merged images.[Copyrighted by: Bannantine, J. P.]

Chlamydophila psittaci have major outer membrane proteins (MOMP), consisting of predominately Beta-sheet content, similar in function to the biochemical properties of porin protein. These channels are permeable to ATP and may be the route in which the bacterium takes advantage of nucleoside triphosphates. Although Chlamydophila psittaci have no known mechanism to metabolize glucose as a source of energy, it is known that Chlamydophila psittaci can obtain ATP and essential amino acids from the host cell. (6,7,8)

Chlamydophila psittaci cannot synthesize pyrimidines or purines de novo, so it must salvage these from its host. Though it can take up ATP, GTP, and TTP directly from host cells. It may not, however, take up UTP, CTP, dATP, dGTP, or dCTP from the host cell, and may not salvage exogenously supplied uridine, cytidine, or deoxycytidine. The primary source of pyrimidine nucleotides is via the salvage of uracil by a uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. The ATP-GTP transport system and intracelullar enzymes allows for metabolism of adenine, adenosine, guanosine, and guanine. The TTP transport system and intraceullar enzymes allows for the metabolism of uracil, deoxyuridine, thymine, and thymidine. In addition, the parasite could incorporate exogenous thymidine and thymine into DNA. There is no interconversion of nucleotides within the cell. (13,14)


Ecology

Chlamydophila psittaci is a pathogen which interacts with parrots, parakeets, canaries, and other avian species. The bacteria may be transmitted to humans through handling of sick birds. Human to human transfer is uncommon, although possible. Certain breeds of Chlamydophila psittaci may infect sheep, goats, and cows. This species does not have any direct contribution to the environment because it cannot live outside its host. (3)

Pathology

Chlamydophila psittaci causes an infection through the respiratory system by using chlamydial elementary bodies to attach to the respiratory epithelial cells of the host and is engulfed through phagocytosis. Elementary bodies spread via the blood steam to the reticuloendothelial system and become reticulate bodies, which depend on host cell ATP to grow. Within the inclusion of the host cell, reticular bodies undergo binary fission for 8-10 hours after infection, and continue to divide for 20 hours. Reticular bodies give rise to elementary bodies after 20 hours of infection. After 48-72 hours, the development cycle is completed and the infected host cell’s inclusion becomes filled with 10-1000 elementary bodies. Elementary bodies are released through lysis of the cell and may then infect fresh host cells. (3,6,7)

Chlamydophila psittaci affects the parrot family and other avian species. Once infected, these species will be susceptible to symptoms such as appetite and weight loss, diarrhea, sinusitis, and respiratory distress. Humans contract the disease through handling sick birds. Symptoms in humans include fever, cough, dyspnea, mild phryngitis, epistaxis, severe headache, and pneumonia. Certain strains of Chlamydophila psittaci may also infect sheep, goats, and cows. (3,6)

Application to Biotechnology

Chlamydophila psittaci is not known to produce any useful compounds or enzymes. Due to its harmful pathogenic nature, studies have been developed to find proper vaccination against this bacteria. Current research have confirmed that the major outer membrane protein gene of Chlamydophila psittaci may serve as a target for vaccination. (10)

Current Research

July 2007 - Construction and immunogenicity of recombinant adenovirus expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydophila psittaci in chicks.

The first study explores the use of the major outer membrane protein encoded by the outer membrane protein 1 (omp1) gene, as a candidate for a vaccine against avian chlamydiosis. Pathogen free chicks were inoculated. Detection through an indirect hemagglutination test showed that these chicks generated antibodies against the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydophila psittaci. 9 out of 10 vaccinated chicks were protected from the disease when challenged, whereas the control groups showed clinical signs of the disease when challenged. This study shows that the major outer membrane protein gene of Chlamydophila psittaci may serve as a candidate vaccine against avian chlamydiosis. (10)


March 2007 - Chlamydiae and Atherosclerosis: Can Psittacine Cases Support the Link?

The second study examines whether Atherosclerosis, a common disease in birds, is caused by the pathogen Chlamydophila psittaci. Out of 103 cases of advanced stages of atherosclerosis, only 4 (3.9%) were positive of chlamydiae in atherosclerotic tissue. Sequential analysis revealed high correlation (94%-100%) with Chlamydophila psittaci in three of the four cases. Because of the low occurrence of chlamydiae in atherosclerotic tissue (3.9%) during advanced stages of Atherosclerosis, a relationship between chlamydiae and atherosclerosis in pet birds is improbable. (11)


August 2007 - Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans.

The third study explores Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from parrots to humans. The presence of Chlamydophila psittaci was examined in a parrot relief and breeding center. 5 of 20 African grey parrots showed depression, ruffled feathers, loss of weight and mild dyspnoea. The manager also showed signs of shortness of breath. Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B was identified as the transmitted strain. It is believed that this is the first genotype E/B strain transmitted from parrot to human. Studies reveal that inheritance of the genotype E/B strain, in both parrots and humans, cause no severe clinical symptoms.(12)

References

1. Everett, K., Hatch, T. “Architecture of the Cell Envelope of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC.” Journal of Bacteriology. 1995. Volume 177. No. 4. p. 877-882.

2. Vanrompay, D., Harkinezhad, T., Walle M., Beeckman D., Droogenbroeck, C., Verminnen, K., Leten, R., Martel, A., Cauwerts K. “Chlamydophila psittaci Transmission from Pet Birds to Humans.” Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2007. Volume 13. p.1108-1110

3. Lessnau, K., Arjomand F., “Psittacosis” 2006 May

4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=331636&lvl=3&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock

5. Chlamydophila psittaci plasmid pCpA1, complete sequence

6. Lederberg, J., “Encyclopedia of Microbiology Second Edition A-C.” 2000. Volume 1. p. 781-787.

7. Singleton, P., Saisbury, D. “Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology 3rd Edition.” 2001. p 154.

8. Wyllie, S., Asley, R., Longbottom, D., Herring, A., “The Major Outer Membrane Protein of Chlamydophila psittaci Functions as a Porin-like Ion Channel.” 1998. Volume 66. No. 11. p. 5202-5207.

9. Tanzer, R., Longbottom, D., Hatch, T., “Identification of Polymorphic Outer Membrane Proteins of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC" Infection and Immunity. 2001. Vol. 69. No. 4. p. 2428-2434.

10. Zhou, J., Qiu., C., Cao, XA, Lin G., “Construction and immunogenicity of recombinant adenovirus expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydophila psittaci in chicks.” 2007

11. Schenker, OA, Hoop, RK. “Chlamydiae and atherosclerosis: can psittacine cases support the link? 2007

12. Harkinezhad, T., Verminnen, K., Droogenbroeck, C., Vanrompay, D., “Chlamydophila psittaci genotype E/B transmission from African grey parrots to humans.” 2007

13. McClarty, G., Qin, B., "Pyrimidine metabolism by intracellular Chlamydia psittaci." Journal of Bacteriology. 1993. Volume 175. No. 15. p. 4652-4661.

14. McClarty, G., Fan, H., "Purine metabolism by intracellular Chlamydia psittaci." Journal of Bacteriology. 1993. Volume 175. No. 15. P. 4662-4669.


Edited by Coleman Ho, student of Rachel Larsen

Edited by KLB