dog and cat assay data sheet

Chlamydophila felis (formerly Chlamydophila psittaci / Chlamydia psittaci), "feline pneumonitis" or "feline chlamydiosis"

Test code: B0034 - Qualitative detection of Chlamydophila felis bacteria by polymerase chain reaction

B0034 is included on P0020 - feline respiratory panel

Feline chlamydiosis, also known as feline pneumonitis, is a relatively mild, chronic upper respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila felis, also known as C. psittaci. The major symptom is conjunctivitis which is an abnormal eye discharge due to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the inside of the eyelid. The infection can also cause nasal discharge, sneezing, and pneumonia. If infected cats are left untreated, the infection tends to become chronic, lasting weeks or months.

Chlamydiosis is part of the feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) complex which includes a group of viral and bacterial infections (eg feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus) that affect the nose and eyes, manifesting similar symptoms. Chlamydiosis accounts for about 10% to 15% of all feline URI cases and often occurs with another URI.

Chlamydiosis occurs in about 5% to 10% of the cat population worldwide. It is especially common in kittens 2 to 6 months old, in multicat households, and in pet adoption shelters. Outbreaks tend to occur in overcrowded, poorly ventilated and unsanitary settings, and where cats are poorly fed or stressed, either physically (eg extreme temperatures) or psychologically (eg introduction of a new cat in a household).

Many infected cats have very mild symptoms and they become carriers of C. felis. These carrier cats often shed the bacteria in their eye discharge. The likelihood that bacteria will be present in the discharge is greater after stressful events. Though uncommon, cases have been reported of mild human conjunctivitis caused by C. felis.

Because the clinical symptoms of chlamydiosis are similar to those of other feline upper respiratory infections, it is important to accurately identify the bacteria before successful treatment can be administered. Traditionally culture was used, but it is very difficult to differentiate by culture C. felis from other bacteria also found in eye discharge. Immunofluorescent staining has also been used to identify C. felis, but this technique’s sensitivity is also not high. However, molecular detection by PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific method to detect this bacterium.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of C. felis infection
• Help ensure that feline populations are free of C. felis
• Early prevention of spread of this bacterium among a cat population
• Minimize human exposure to this bacterium

Feline specimen requirement: Nasopharyngeal swab + eye discharge swab.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative PCR

Normal range: Nondetected