Psitaci

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the antigenic cross reactivity of various proteins of strains of Chlamydia pecorum, C psitaci, and C trachomatis. SAMPLES AND PROCEDURES: Strains FC-Stra and LW-613 of C pecorum, strains B577, Fitz-9, and 68C of C psitaci, and strain LGV-2 of C trachomatis were studied. Strains of C pecorum were propagated in Georgia bovine kidney cells, and other chlamydial strains were propagated in L cells or Georgia bovine kidney cells. Partially purified chlamydial elementary bodies propagated in RAG cells, a BALB/c cell line cloned from a renal adenocarcinoma of BALB/c mice, were used to immunize BALB/c mice for production of monoclonal antibodies...

Culturing of Chlamydia psittaci from pet birds requires the inoculation of a susceptible living host system with suspensions of various tissues from dead birds or with tracheal and/or cloacal swabs and fresh feces from live birds. Cell cultures have been used as the host system. The most commonly used cell cultures for isolation of C psittaci from pet birds are McCoy and mouse L cells. The sensitivity and specificity of cell culture equals or surpasses embryonating chicken eggs and mice, and results can be obtained in less than 7 days...