Falcons From the United Arab Emirates Infected With/Intermediates Specified asby Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Abstract

Chlamydiaceae are obligate intracellular bacteria with a broad host range. Several studies have found chlamydial species that are genetically intermediate betweenandin various avian species. One of these intermediatespecies, found in a red-shouldered hawk (), was recently classified as a new species. This newly describedspecies has, so far, only been reported in hawks exhibiting clinical signs of conjunctivitis, dyspnea, and diarrhea. In the present study, fecal samples of 5 gyrfalcons (), 3 gyr/peregrine falcon hybrids (×), and 15 falcons of unknown species presented to falcon clinics on the Arabian Peninsula were shipped to the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland), for examination for the presence of Chlamydiaceae. A step-wise diagnostic approach was performed to identify the chlamydial species involved. Chlamydiaceae were detected in 21/23 falcons by a family-specific real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Further identification with a 23S ribosomal RNA-based microarray assay and 16S conventional PCR and sequencing yielded inconclusive results, indicating the presence of an intermediatespecies. Because none of the falcons tested positive forby specific qPCR, all 23 samples were subjected to a-specific qPCR, which was positive in 16/23 samples. Detailed information regarding clinical history was available for 8 falcons admitted to a falcon clinic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Six of those birds that were presented to the clinic because of loss of performance and poor general condition, including vomiting and diarrhea, were positive for. In 2 birds without clinical disease signs admitted for a routine health examination, 1 was positive for, and 1 was negative. It is yet unknown whethercauses disease in birds, but the findings in this study indicate thatmay be an infectious pathogen in falcon species.