Detection and characterization of Chlamydophila psittaci in asymptomatic feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in central Thailand

ObjectiveTo detect and characterize Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) in asymptomatic feral pigeons in central Thailand.MethodsA total 814 swabs from the trachea and cloacae of 407 non–clinical feral pigeons in central Thailand were collected and tested for the presence of C. psittaci.ResultsA 10.8% of feral pigeons in the sample group were positive as determined by nested PCR primer specific to C. psittaci. The outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene of positive samples exhibited amino acid identity of C. psittaci ranging from 71 to 100% and were grouped in genotype B. Exceptionally, BF1676–56 isolate was closely related to Chlamydia avium with 99% identification of the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene.ConclusionsThis is the first report on C. psittaci isolated from asymptomatic feral pigeons in Thailand, which provides knowledge for the disease status in pigeon populations in Thailand.