Chlamydiosis

Chlamydial abortion (sheep)

Also known as Enzootic abortion of ewes

Chlamydial abortion of sheep, due to Chlamydia abortus infection, is a notifiable exotic disease.
Chlamydia abortus is a zoonotic agent.

Description

Enzootic abortion of ewes, due to Chlamydia abortus has never occurred in Australia. Chlamydial infection (presumably Chlamydia pecorum) has been reported rarely in NSW in association with placentitis and abortion; however, Chlamydia pecorum is not regarded as a significant cause of abortion. Chlamydia abortus causes late term abortions or stillbirths, or birth of weak lambs. Post mortem findings include a chronic placentitis with thickening of the chorioallantois and cotyledons may be matted by dirty-red exudate. The foetus is usually well preserved but may have few gross lesions.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on post mortem and histopathology examinations of the foetus and placenta, serology and PCR detection of Chlamydia.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Chlamydia CFT	Clotted blood (red top tube)	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Chlamydophila real-time PCR³	Fresh tissue or blood	As required	3-7 days
Chlamydophila speciation PCR²	From real-time PCR	As required	Up to 7 days
Chlamydia pecorum qPCR³	Dry or PBGS swab, joint fluid, fresh spleen, fresh lung, fresh brain, fresh liver	As required	5 days
Histopathology	Fixed tissues	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Post mortem	Aborted foetus and placenta	Monday – Friday	Same day

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
²Positive Chlamydophila real-time PCR requires further speciation between C. abortus and C. pecorum
³ This test is not NATA accredited.

Specimen requirements

Aborted foetus

Aborted foetus
Whole foetus and placenta Submit chilled in insulated container

Blood (without anti-coagulant)

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
Blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) from aborting animals, taken in the acute and convalescent stages of the disease (3 to 4 weeks apart) and from 5-10 in-contact animals Collected into a plain red top tube Submit chilled Blood samples collected in vacutainer containing separation gel are not suitable for complement fixation test

Fixed tissue

Fixed tissue
Placenta, liver, adrenal gland, lung, kidney, brain, spleen and other tissues as indicated by gross examination collected from post mortem Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

Fresh tissue

Fresh tissue
Placenta, liver, adrenal gland, lung, kidney, brain, spleen, stomach contents collected from post mortem Submit chilled

Chlamydial abortion (horse)

Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic agent, capable of causing significant illness in humans

Description

Studies suggest that horses can be hosts of Chlamydia psittaci, and infections can cause respiratory disease and foetal abortion in horses. Chlamydia psittaci has been detected in several equine abortions in 2015 and 2016, which provides strong support for its role as the etiological agent, and should be considered in these investigations.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and PCR detection of Chlamydia.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Chlamydia psittaci PCR (Real-time PCR)	Fresh tissue or swabs (PBGS or Dry)	As required	Up to 5 days

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

Specimen requirements

Fresh tissue

Fresh tissue
Foetal liver, lung and spleen collected from post mortem Submit chilled

Swabs

Swabs
Two swabs collected aseptically are preferred Swab 1: multiples sites across the placenta Swab 2: multiple sites across the foetus Submit chilled

Chlamydial arthritis (sheep, cattle)

Description

Chlamydial polyarthritis of lambs and calves is caused by Chlamydia pecorum. In New South Wales Chlamydial arthritis occurs relatively commonly in lambs. It typically affects weaned lambs up to about six months of age. Chlamydial polyarthritis of calves is rare. Affected animals are usually febrile and walk with a stiff, proppy gait. Affected joints are usually, but not always, swollen. Affected joints usually contain increased synovial fluid and fibrin. Concurrent conjunctivitis may be present in infected sheep. Chronically infected joints may show hyperplasia of synovial villi and fibrous thickening.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, post mortem and histopathology examinations, serology and PCR detection of Chlamydia.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Chlamydia CFT	Whole blood (red top tube)	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Chlamydophila real-time PCR³	Fresh tissue or swabs	As required	3-7 days
Chlamydophila speciation PCR²	From real-time PCR	As required	3-7 days
Chlamydia pecorum qPCR	Dry or PBGS swab, joint fluid, fresh spleen, fresh lung, fresh brain, fresh liver	As required	5 days
Histopathology	Fixed tissue	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Post mortem	Fixed tissue	Monday – Friday	Same day
Ovine Pinkeye Panel PCR- Moraxella ovis, Mycoplasma conjunctivae, Chlamydia pecorum ³	Conjunctival Swab (Dry or in PBGS)	As required	5 days

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
Blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) from identified animals, taken in the acute and convalescent stages of the disease (3 to 4 weeks apart) and from 5-10 in-contact animals Collect in a plain red top tube Submit chilled

Fixed tissue

Fixed tissue
Whole affected joint(s) and other tissues as indicated by gross examination collected from post mortem Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

Fresh tissue

Fresh tissue
Whole affected joint Submit chilled

Swab

Swab
Swab collected aseptically from affected joints Submit chilled

Sporadic bovine encephalopathy (cattle)

Description

Sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis, caused by Chlamydia pecorum infection, occurs mainly in young cattle less than a year old. Affected animals develop fever before progressing to clinical signs of depression, salivation, diarrhoea, anorexia, weight loss, incoordination, staggering, with recumbency and opisthotonus at the terminal stage.

The clinical presentation is variable and signs include fever, dullness, rapid loss of condition, general stiffness or lameness, occasional weakness or ataxia. Some animals progress to recumbency and death. Neurological signs may not be obvious. There is usually no evidence of arthritis.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, post mortem and histopathology examinations, serology and PCR detection of Chlamydia.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Chlamydia CFT	Whole blood (red top tube)	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Chlamydophila real-time PCR³	Fresh tissue or swabs	As required	3-7 days
Chlamydophila speciation PCR²	From real-time PCR	As required	3-7 days
Chlamydia pecorum qPCR	Dry or PBGS swab, joint fluid, fresh spleen, fresh lung, fresh brain, fresh liver	As required	5 days
Histopathology	Fixed tissue	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Post mortem	Fixed tissue	Monday – Friday	Same day

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
Red top (serum) collected from identified animals, taken in the acute and convalescent stages of the disease (3 to 4 weeks apart) and from 5-10 in-contact animals. Collected in a plain red top tube Submit chilled

Fresh tissue

Fresh tissue
Brain, liver, spleen and other organ with evidence of serositis collected from post mortem Submit chilled

Fixed tissue

Fixed tissue
Brain, liver, spleen, kidney and other organs with evidence of serositis collected from post mortem Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

Avian chlamydiosis

Chlamydiosis in poultry and other birds is a notifiable disease in NSW
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic agent, capable of causing significant illness in humans (psittacosis)

Description

Avian chlamydiosis is caused by Chlamydia psittaci, occurs worldwide and has been identified in over 35 avian species, particularly caged birds (commonly psittacines). Turkeys, ducks and pigeons can also be affected. Disease can by subclinical or acute, subacute or chronic and present with respiratory, digestive or systemic clinical signs.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, post mortem and histopathology examinations, serology and PCR detection of Chlamydia.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Chlamydia psittaci PCR (Real-time PCR)	Fresh tissue or swab	As required	Up to 5 days
Avian Chlamydia Panel PCR-Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia gallinacea, Chlamydia avium	Dry or PBGS swab (Nasal, tracheal, conjunctival and/or cloacal), fresh spleen, fresh lung	As required	5 days
Poultry Chlamydia Panel PCR- Chlamydia (genus), Chlamydia gallinacea, Chlamydia psittaci *	Dry or PBGS swab (Nasal, tracheal, conjunctival and/or cloacal), fresh spleen, fresh lung	As required	5 days
Non-Poultry Chlamydia Panel PCR- Chlamydia (genus), Chlamydia avium, Chlamydia psittaci *	Dry or PBGS swab (Nasal, tracheal, conjunctival and/or cloacal), fresh spleen, fresh lung	As required	5 days
Histopathology	Fixed tissues	Monday – Friday	Up to 5 days
Post mortem	Whole bird	Monday – Friday	Same day

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

Specimen requirements

Fresh tissue

Fresh tissue
Brain, liver, spleen and other organ with evidence of serositis collected from post mortem Submit chilled

Fixed tissue

Fixed tissue
Liver, lung, air sacs, heart and other organs with evidence of serositis collected from post mortem Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

Swab

Swab
Conjunctival, choanal, cloacal swabs Collected aseptically Submit chilled

Additional Information

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568