[First evidence of Chlamydophila psittaci circulation in Colombia: a possible public health risk].

OBJECTIVE

To establish the seroprevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in birds of Amazona spp genus and workers from some zoos and CAVs (centers for attention and evaluation of wildlife) of Colombia.

METHODS

We analyzed 138 sera from birds of the genus Amazona spp, 24 sera from other species of birds and 39 human sera by indirect ELISA. RMOMP was used as antigen (major outer membrane protein of Chlamydophila psittaci). For the conjugate of birds it was used an anti-turkey-chicken IgG labeled with biotin, for the human conjugate we used an anti-IgG labeled with peroxidase. Sera were diluted 1:100.

RESULTS

Of the 138 sera from birds of the genus Amazona spp 118 (85 %) were seropositive. Regional seroprevalence was as follow: Caldas CAV Torre cuatro 36 (90 %), CAV's Monteria 28 (85 %), Barranquilla's Zoo 14 (87 %), Cali's Zoo 21 (84 %) and from the CAV Victoria del Oriente Caldense 19 (79 %) sera were seropositive. Regarding seroprevalence in humans, 30 of the 39 (78 %) were seropositive, regional seroprevalence was as follow: Montería 9 (100 %) workers, Barranquilla's Zoo 9 (90 %), CAV Caldas Tower four 4 (80 %), Cali's Zoo 5 (45 %) and CAV Caldense Victoria del oriente 3 (75 %) were seropositive.

CONCLUSIONS

The high seroprevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in birds (86,4 %) and humans (78 %) showed the first evidence of circulation of this microorganism in Colombia; the circulation of the etiological agent of psittacosis may represent a public health risk.