Institute for Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
DIMES, Microbiology, Policlinico S. Orsola, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 4;8(1):5660. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23897-z.
Chlamydia species have recently been recognized as emerging pathogens in snakes. However, isolation of novel snake chlamydiae is critical and their growth characteristics are largely unknown. In this study, two novel chlamydial species are described: Chlamydia serpentis and Chlamydia poikilothermis, isolated after attempts on 23 cloacal and choanal swabs from 18 PCR-positive captive snakes originating from different Swiss snake collections. Isolation success, growth curve and infectivity rates over a 48-hour time period were dependent on temperature (37 °C for C. serpentis, 28 °C for C. poikilothermis). C. serpentis and C. poikilothermis were sensitive to tetracycline and moxifloxacin during evaluation by in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay but intermediate to resistant (2-4 μg/ml) to azithromycin. Whole genome sequencing of the isolates provided proof of the novel species status, and gives insights into the evolution of these branches of genus Chlamydia.
蛇类中的衣原体种最近被认为是新兴的病原体。然而，新型蛇衣原体的分离至关重要，其生长特性在很大程度上尚不清楚。本研究描述了两种新型衣原体：蛇衣原体和变温衣原体，从来自不同瑞士蛇类收藏的 18 只 PCR 阳性圈养蛇的 23 个泄殖腔和鼻道拭子中分离出来。在 48 小时的时间内，分离成功率、生长曲线和感染率取决于温度（C. serpentis 为 37°C，C. poikilothermis 为 28°C）。通过体外药敏试验评估，C. serpentis 和 C. poikilothermis 对四环素和莫西沙星敏感，但对阿奇霉素中度耐药（2-4μg/ml）。分离株的全基因组测序证明了新种的地位，并深入了解了衣原体属这些分支的进化。
