Geigenfeind Ila, Haag-Wackernagel Daniel
Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Integr Zool. 2010 Mar;5(1):63-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00187.x.
Chlamydophila psittaci (Lillie, 1930) Everett et al., 1999, the pathogenic agent of human ornithosis, is widespread in feral pigeon populations and many cases of transmission from feral pigeons to humans have been reported. The aim of the present study was to detect C. psittaci in environmental samples to find out more about possible transmission routes and, therefore, to assess the zoonotic risk for humans. Fecal samples were collected from nest boxes in a feral pigeon loft. Additionally, samples were taken from the feather dust film covering the water surface of public fountains where pigeons regularly bathe. The samples were tested for the presence of chlamydial antigen using an antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to prove shedding of C. psittaci by feral pigeons. This test detects a genus specific lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of the chlamydial bacteria. Samples were tested using the IDEIA PCE Chlamydia Test kit (DakoCytomation) and positive results were verified with IDEIA Chlamydia Blocking Reagents (DakoCytomation). The IDEIA PCE Chlamydia Test yields a high proportion of positive results. However, when IDEIA Chlamydia Blocking was performed, most of the positive results turned out to be negative or could not be interpreted. We conclude that antigen-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests are not suitable for detecting C. psittaci in environmental samples. Previous publications where no blocking test was used should be reconsidered critically.
鹦鹉热衣原体（Lillie，1930年），埃弗雷特等人于1999年重新分类，是人类鹦鹉热的病原体，在野生鸽群中广泛存在，并且已有许多野生鸽向人类传播的病例报道。本研究的目的是检测环境样本中的鹦鹉热衣原体，以进一步了解可能的传播途径，从而评估对人类的人畜共患病风险。从野生鸽舍的巢箱中采集粪便样本。此外，还从鸽子经常洗浴的公共喷泉水面上覆盖的羽毛灰尘薄膜中取样。使用抗原酶联免疫吸附测定法检测样本中衣原体抗原的存在，以证明野生鸽排出鹦鹉热衣原体。该检测可检测衣原体细菌外膜中的属特异性脂多糖。使用IDEIA PCE衣原体检测试剂盒（达科公司）对样本进行检测，阳性结果用IDEIA衣原体阻断试剂（达科公司）进行验证。IDEIA PCE衣原体检测产生的阳性结果比例很高。然而，当进行IDEIA衣原体阻断检测时，大多数阳性结果最终变为阴性或无法解释。我们得出结论，抗原酶联免疫吸附测定法不适用于检测环境样本中的鹦鹉热衣原体。以前未使用阻断检测的出版物应予以严格重新审视。
