Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine abortion due to Chlamydia psittaci in South Australia with zoonotic transmission.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- McLachlan, A D & Woolford, L
- Affiliation:
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In August 2023, a foal that had been aborted in South Australia was found to have Chlamydia psittaci, a type of bacteria, in its lungs, liver, and kidneys. The examination showed signs of inflammation and damage in the placenta and liver. This was the first time that abortion in horses due to this bacteria had been reported in South Australia. After the foetus and placenta were examined, a veterinary pathologist who handled them developed a fever and was later hospitalized, where tests confirmed he also had the bacteria. This case highlights the risk of infection to humans from handling infected horse tissues.
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci was detected by real-time PCR in the lung, liver and kidney of an equine foetus that had aborted in South Australia in August 2023. The corresponding microscopic lesions included lymphocytic and histiocytic chorionitis, necrosis of placental villi associated with bacteria in the cytoplasm of trophoblastic epithelial cells, and multiple microgranulomas in the liver. Equine chlamydial abortion had not been diagnosed previously in South Australia. Eight days after examining the foetus and placenta, the veterinary pathologist developed fever and subsequently was admitted to hospital. Specimens were obtained from the patient by bronchoscopy, and C. psittaci was detected by real-time PCR in the submitted bronchial washings. This is the first report of zoonotic C. psittaci infection acquired by handling infected equine tissues to be confirmed by real-time PCR.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41220269/