Molecular Detection of Chlamydia felis in Cats in Ahvaz, Iran

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Chlamydiae are obligate generally Gram-negative intracellular parasites with bacterial characteristics, including a cell wall, DNA, and RNA. They have a worldwide distribution in different animal species. Chlamydia felis (C. felis) is an important agent with zoonotic susceptibility often isolated from cats with chronic conjunctivitis. The aim of the present survey aimed to determine the molecular occurrence of C. felis in cats in Ahvaz, Iran. In this regard, a total of 152 cats (126 households and 26 feral) were included in the current study. After recording their history information, two swabs were taken from the oropharyngeal cavity and eye conjunctiva of the investigated cats. The extraction of DNA was followed by PCR targeting the pmp gene of C. Felis. In the next step, the positive samples were sequenced based on the Gene Bank. Out of 152 samples, 35 (23.03%) were positive using polymerase chain reaction technique (95% CI: 16.30-29.70). Regarding infection with Chlamydiosis, the obtained results showed a significant difference between cats suffering from ocular or respiratory diseases (44.64%; 25 out of 56) and the healthy ones (10.42%; 10 out of 96; P=0.01). The prevalence of infection was significantly higher in cats younger than 1 year (34.12%; 29 out of 85), compared to those older than 1 year (8.96%; 6 out of 67; P=0.02). No significant difference was noted in terms of gender (25.45% in males and 21.65% in females), breed (23.81% in DSH and 19.23% in Persian), and lifestyle (22.22% companions [28 out of 126] and 26.92% ferals [7 out of 26]; P>0.05). It can be concluded that a significant number of cats are infected with C. felis in Ahvaz. The use of molecular tests, such as PCR, has revolutionized the diagnosis of chlamydial infections.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Article Title [French]

Détection Moléculaire de Chlamydia felis chez des Chats à Ahvaz, en Iran

Abstract [French]

Les Chlamydia sont généralement des parasites intracellulaires à Gram négatif avec des caractéristiques bactériennes, notamment une paroi cellulaire, de l'ADN et de l'ARN. Ils ont une distribution mondiale et affectent différentes espèces animales. Chlamydia felis (C. Felis) est un agent important susceptible de causer une zoonose, souvent isolé chez les chats soufrant de conjonctivite chronique. Cette étude avait pour objectif de déterminer l’occurrence moléculaire de C. felis chez des chats d’Ahvaz, en Iran. A cette fin, un total de 152 chats (126 d’animaux domestiques et 26chats errants) a été includans notreétude. Après avoir enregistré leurs renseignements médicaux, deux écouvillons ont été prélevés à partir de la cavité oropharyngée et de la conjonctive des chats soumis à l'enquête. L'extraction de l'ADN a été suivie d'une PCR visant le gène pmp de C. Felis. ensuite, les échantillons positifs ont été séquencés sur la base des données disponibles dans la banque de gènes. Sur 152 échantillons, 35 (23,03%) étaient positifs en utilisant la technique de réaction en chaîne de la polymérase (IC à 95%: 16h30 à 29,70). En ce qui concerne les taux de Chlamydiose, nos résultats ont montré une différence significative entre les chats atteints de maladies oculaires ou respiratoires (44,64%; 25 sur 56) et les chats en bonne santé (10,42%; 10 sur 96; p = 0,01). La prévalence de l'infection était significativement plus élevée chez les chats de moins d'un an (34,12%; 29 sur 85) comparés à ceux âgés de plus d'un an (8,96%; 6 sur 67; p = 0,02). Aucune différence significative n'a été notée selon le esexe (25,45% chez les hommes et 21,65% chez les femmes), la race (23,81% chez DSH et de 19,23% en persan) et le style de vie (22,22% chez les chats domestiques [28 sur 126] et 26,92% chez les chats errants) [7 sur 26]; P> 0,05). On peut en conclure qu'un nombre important de chats sont infectés par C. Felis à Ahvaz. L'utilisation de tests moléculaires, tels que la PCR, a révolutionné le diagnostic des infections à Chlamydia.

Keywords [French]

  • Chlamydia felis
  • Chlamydiosis
  • PCR
  • Ahvaz
  • Chat

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Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 74, Issue 2
June 2019
Pages 119-126

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