{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,27]],"date-time":"2026-05-27T20:17:07Z","timestamp":1779913027865,"version":"3.53.1"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"Microbiology Society","issue":"11","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Chlamydiosis is a zoonotic disease in birds caused by <jats:italic>Chlamydophila psittaci<\/jats:italic>, an obligate intracellular bacterium. There are seven known avian outer-membrane protein A genotypes, A\u2013F and E\/B. The importance of genotyping lies in the fact that certain genotypes tend to be associated with certain hosts and a difference in virulence. Genotype B is the most prevalent in pigeons, but the more virulent genotypes A and D have also been discovered. The current study assessed the prevalence of <jats:italic>C. psittaci<\/jats:italic> in 32 Belgian homing-pigeon facilities and in 61 feral pigeons captured in the city of Ghent, Belgium. Additionally, zoonotic transmission of <jats:italic>C. psittaci<\/jats:italic> was investigated in the homing-pigeon facilities. Homing pigeons were often infected, as at least one of the lofts was positive in 13 of the 32 (40.6\u200a%) pigeon breeding facilities. Genotypes B, C and D were detected. Zoonotic transmission was discovered in 4 of the 32 (12.5\u200a%) pigeon fanciers, revealing genotype D in two of them, whilst genotyping was unsuccessful for the other two human pharyngeal swabs. This study clearly demonstrates the possible risk of <jats:italic>C. psittaci<\/jats:italic> zoonotic transmission from homing pigeons. Pigeon fanciers often (37.5\u200a%) used antibiotics for prevention of respiratory disease. Because of the risk of developing drug-resistant strains, regular use of antimicrobial drugs must be avoided. This study is believed to be the first to detect <jats:italic>C. psittaci<\/jats:italic> in Belgian feral pigeons. The prevalence rate in the city of Ghent was extremely low, which is beneficial for public health.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1099\/jmm.0.023499-0","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2010,8,13]],"date-time":"2010-08-13T01:38:43Z","timestamp":1281663523000},"page":"1348-1353","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":46,"title":["Chlamydophila psittaci in homing and feral pigeons and zoonotic transmission"],"prefix":"10.1099","volume":"59","author":[{"given":"V.","family":"Dickx","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"D. S. 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