Equine Psittacosis and the Emergence of Chlamydia psittaci as an Equine Abortigenic Pathogen in Southeastern Australia: A Retrospective Data Analysis.
Abstract: is an important zoonotic pathogen. Although primarily a pathogen of birds, from which infection can spillover into humans and other mammalian hosts, the importance of as a cause of equine reproductive loss and the risk of infection to humans in contact with infected horses are increasingly being recognised in Australia and elsewhere. Despite the risks to both human and equine health, infection in horses is incompletely understood. This study aimed to update and summarise cases of equine psittacosis in Australia in the period 2018-2022, thus addressing a knowledge gap relating to recent cases in this country. These cases were identified from the examination of records held by state and federal veterinary authorities and from a review of published cases. A total of 31 cases were identified. Spatial and temporal trends were identified, with cases being more prevalent in winter and spring and geographically restricted to Victoria and New South Wales. The results show that cases of equine reproductive loss due to are consistent and ongoing and demonstrate the importance of routinely considering in diagnostic investigations. The need for ongoing study to better understand this important zoonotic pathogen is evident.
Publication Date: 2023-07-28 PubMed ID: 37570252PubMed Central: PMC10416985DOI: 10.3390/ani13152443Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Clinical Pathology
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Pathogens
- Public Health
- Retrospective Study
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
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The article provides a detailed summary of cases involving a pathogen known as Chlamydia psittaci that affects horses and can lead to reproductive loss. The analysis focuses on recent incidents of equine psittacosis in Australia between 2018 and 2022, examining a number of cases and identifying trends related to seasonality and geography.
Understanding Chlamydia psittaci
- The article explains that Chlamydia psittaci is a pathogen typically found in birds, but it can also infect humans and other mammalian hosts.
- In Australia and other locations, Chlamydia psittaci has been increasingly recognized as a cause for reproductive loss in horses and poses a potential risk of infection to humans who come into contact with infected horses.
- However, this pathogen’s impact on horses is not yet wholly understood, thereby necessitating more comprehensive research.
Study Aim and Methodology
- The study aimed to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding recent equine psittacosis cases in Australia by summarizing and updating cases recorded between 2018 and 2022.
- The researchers identified these cases from state and federal veterinary authorities’ records and a review of already published cases.
Findings and Trends
- The study identified a total of 31 cases of equine psittacosis within the specified period.
- An analysis of these cases revealed spatial and temporal trends, with a higher prevalence in winter and spring, and cases predominantly reported in Victoria and New South Wales.
Implications and Recommendations
- The research highlights that incidents of equine reproductive loss because of Chlamydia psittaci are consistent and ongoing.
- The study emphasizes the importance of having veterinary professionals routinely consider Chlamydia psittaci during diagnostic investigations.
- Given the risks posed to both human and equine health, the study underscores the need for continuous research to better understand this important zoonotic pathogen.
Cite This Article
APA
El-Hage C, Legione A, Devlin J, Hughes K, Jenkins C, Gilkerson J.
(2023).
Equine Psittacosis and the Emergence of Chlamydia psittaci as an Equine Abortigenic Pathogen in Southeastern Australia: A Retrospective Data Analysis.
Animals (Basel), 13(15), 2443.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152443 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia.
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, The Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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