PILOT-STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA-PSITTACI INFECTIONS IN COMMERCIAL TURKEY FLOCKS

Turkeys from 8 commercial flocks, of which were 6 clinically healthy, were examined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay systems for genus-specific Chlamydia antigens and also for antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci in 4 flocks. Results of the tests indicate the presence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in all 8 flocks. The percentage of combined cloacal and conjunctival swabs positive for Chlamydia antigen ranged from 20-91 % [20-70 %] whereas the percentage of antibody-positive serum samples ranged from 81-100 %. Our findings suggest, that the prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in clinically healthy turkey flocks is higher than hitherto suspected.