National Diagnostic Reference Centre
Our laboratory is recognised by Sciensano (Belgian Institute for Health) as the national reference laboratory for diagnosing Chlamydia psittaci infections in humans
Chlamydia psittaci is considered a notifiable disease in humans, meaning that cases must be reported to health authorities (Sciensano and the Flemish Department Care).
Chlamydia psittaci
Chlamydia psittaci causes severe respiratory disease in parrots, parakeets, lories, and cockatoos, but it can also cause respiratory disease in other pet birds, pigeons, poultry and wild birds.
Chlamydia psittaci is a well-known zoonotic agent, meaning that
C. psittaci can be transmitted from birds to humans, posing a potential danger to public health.
Humans most commonly contract the infection by inhaling contaminated bird excreta.
Human
Due to a low awareness of the disease and a variable clinical presentation, C. psittaci infections are difficult to diagnose.
Our lab is specialized in detecting human Chlamydia psittaci infections.
Our in house-developed (PCR) test provides high sensitivity and specificity in detecting Chlamydia psittaci in humans.
Animals
Our lab also specializes in the detection of Chlamydia psittaci in birds and other animals, Chlamydia abortus in ruminants and birds and Chlamydia suis in pigs.
Chlamydiosis in these animals causes a wide variety of health issues ranging from ocular, respiratory, genital to intestinal infections.
These infections lead to various diseases such as eye infections, abortion, lower birthrate, growth retardation, diarrhea and mortality, resulting in severe economic losses, specifically in the food supply chain.
PCR for animals
We offer PCR analysis for:
- C. psittaci
- C. abortus (mammalian & birds)
- C. suis
Our lab accepts the following samples
Human
- Pharyngeal
- Sputum
- Ocular
- Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
Outer membrane protein A (ompA) genotyping of C. psittaci
and whole genome sequencing can be offered on request
Animal
Depending on the animal different type of samples may be required. Our lab analyses samples from the following animals:
- Pet birds (parrot, parakeet, ...), pigeons, poultry, wild birds
- Pigs
- Cattle
- Sheep and goats
Genotyping (ompA) for C. psittaci and whole genome sequencing for all Chlamydia species mentioned can be offered on request
Click here to see the full list of samples.
Contact us if you wish more information or click here to request an analysis