Abstract
Investigations conducted on feral African Sacred Ibises ( Threskiornis aethiopicus ) in western France led to the isolation of a strain with chlamydial genetic determinants. Ultrastructural analysis, comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, ompA, and of a concatenate of 31 highly conserved genes, as well as determination of the whole genome sequence confirmed the relatedness of the new isolate to members of the Chlamydiaceae, while, at the same time demonstrating a unique position outside the currently recognized species of this family. We propose to name this new chlamydial species Chlamydia ibidis .
Highlights
As they are relatively kept in captivity, African Sacred Ibises have been introduced into many zoological parks around the world
The importance of C. psittaci as the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis in psittacine birds and domestic fowl has been known for decades [25], several studies provide recent evidence of the occurrence of other chlamydial species in birds, such as C. abortus [26,27], C. suis and C. muridarum [28] as well as C. pecorum and C. trachomatis [12]
New and hitherto non-classified chlamydial agents were recently described in chickens [6,16,29], pigeons [11,12], and sea gulls [10]
Summary
As they are relatively kept in captivity, African Sacred Ibises have been introduced into many zoological parks around the world. In the 1990s, some of these birds escaped from a zoological park in Brittany (western France), where they had been allowed to fly unrestrained. A feral population established itself and disseminated along the wetlands of the French Atlantic coast. The feral population steadily increased to more than 5,000 birds in 2006 [1]. Avian chlamydiosis has been shown to occur in more than 465 avian species, including domestic, companion and wild birds [3]. Chlamydia psittaci is the most prominent chlamydial agent encountered in Aves. The family Chlamydiaceae currently comprises one genus Chlamydia and eight other species: trachomatis, suis, muridarum, pneumoniae, abortus, caviae, felis, and pecorum [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
