Prevalence and molecular characterization of C. pecorum detected in Swiss fattening pigs

Chlamydia (C.) pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterial species commonly found in ruminants, can also occur pigs. However, its significance as a potential porcine pathogen, or commensal, is still unclear. In previous study (Hoffmann et al. 2015), mixed infections of C. suis and pecorum were detected 14 Swiss fattening pig farms. Using these samples, we aimed to investigate the infection dynamics addition, analyzed genetic diversity strains relation globally circulating strains. total, 1284 conjunctival rectal swabs from 391 pigs, collected at beginning end period, tested during course this study. We determined loads using species-specific real-time PCR (qPCR) compared results already existing DNA-microarray Chlamydiaceae qPCR data. Overall, copy numbers decreased whereas increased. No association was between clinical signs (conjunctivitis, lameness diarrhea) loads. Preventive antibiotic treatment period significantly lowered chlamydial load outdoor access associated with higher Proximity nearest ruminants correlated increased loads, indicating that could be transmitted Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) major outer membrane protein (ompA) genotyping revealed two novel types (STs) (301, 302) seven unique ompA genotypes (1–7) appear form specific clade separate other European