Chlamidia Psittaci nel colombo da città: aspetti anatomo-patologici, sierologici e biomolecolari

In this study we evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydiaceae, especially C. psittaci, in synanthropic birds such as urban pigeons in some areas of Venice. Innovative molecular tools, such as microarray and MLVA (Multilocus VNTR Assay), were applied in order to evaluate the genotypes of C. psittaci and the other species of Chlamydia present in this avian population to assess the risk of zoonosis posed by pigeons in this urban area. Moreover, we classified and correlated the gross- pathological lesions with the pathogen. Our results showed the presence of C. psittaci in urban population of pigeons in Venice, with a prevalence of 10%. We also demonstrated an atypical strain of C. psittaci not yet classified with the available laboratory techniques. Genotyping revealed the presence of genotypes B, E and E/B that could be considered less frequently involved in cases of human infection. Additionally, we found other Chlamydia strains suggesting the presence of a new Chlamydia genotype. Finally, the elaboration of the data, collected during the first and second sampling phase, revealed a correlation between C. psittaci and adult females pigeons, presenting hepatomegaly. Based on this results we develop and adopted a diagnostic protocol during necropsy that allows to select pigeons, which have a higher probability to be infected, and a better organization and management of interests samples, containing the economic costs and maintaining high-level of the diagnostic standards.