In:
American Journal of Veterinary Research, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Vol. 64, No. 11 ( 2003-11-01), p. 1421-1428
Kurzfassung:
Objective —To detect and characterize the full range
of chlamydial infections in cats with ocular disease by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, cytologic
examination, immunohistochemical analysis, and evaluation of clinical information including status
for feline herpesvirus-1 (FeHV-1). Sample Population —DNA extracted from 226 conjunctival
samples obtained from cats with clinically diagnosed keratitis or conjunctivitis and 30 conjunctival
samples from healthy cats. Procedure —PCR assays for the 16S rRNA gene specific
for the order Chlamydiales and a new Chlamydophila felis (formerly Chlamydia psittaci )
species-specific 23S rRNA gene were performed. Seventy-four conjunctival samples were prepared
with Romanowsky-type stain, grouped on the basis of inflammatory pattern, and screened for chlamydial
inclusions by use of immunohistochemical analysis. Clinical information and FeHV-1 status were recorded. Results —26 (12%) specimens had positive results
for the only known feline chlamydial pathogen, C felis .
Surprisingly, an additional 88 (39%) were positive for non- C felis chlamydial DNA. Identification of non- C felis chlamydial DNA by direct sequencing revealed
16S rRNA gene sequences that were 99% homologous to the sequence for Neochlamydia hartmannellae ,
an amebic endosymbiont. Chlamydial prevalence was significantly higher in cats with ocular disease. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Application of
a broad-range detection method resulted in identification of a new agent associated with ocular disease in
cats. Finding chlamydia-like agents such as N hartmannellae in coinfections with their obligate amebic
host, Hartmannella vermiformis , raises questions
about the potential role of these microorganisms in causation or exacerbation of ocular disease in cats.
( Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1421–1428)
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0002-9645
DOI:
10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.1421
Sprache:
Unbekannt
Verlag:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Publikationsdatum:
2003
ZDB Id:
2056942-7
SSG:
22