[Epidemiologic significance of the immunofluorescence typing of Chlamydia psittaci].

A group of 39 strains isolated from pigeons, parakeets, parrots, sheep, goats, cats, guinea-pigs, mice and humans were immunotyped by a one-way or two-way cross-reaction micro-immunofluorescence test. Eight immunotypes were found. Among them, two new immunotypes were characterized: a cat conjunctivitis strain and a mouse inapparent respiratory infection strain. The immunotypes of feline pneumonitis and guinea-pig conjunctivitis, recently described by Perez-Martinez and Storz, were confirmed. Three human strains were similar to avian isolates, while a fourth was identical to that of feline pneumonitis; this suggests a possible contamination of humans by cats.