Epizootiological chart of avian chlamydiosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

In the period from 2003 to 2008 we conducted a research on avian
chlamydiosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a great number of domestic and wild birds
from different localities. Diagnostic material from the wild birds was provided by the
hunting societies during the hunting season while material from the domestic poultry was
taken indiscriminately.
Chicken samples are taken from the facilities for intensive production, namely
parent flocks. Turkey samples are taken from the individual households keeping and
breeding turkey on extensive basis (half – open type of breeding). Pigeon samples are
provided from the central parts of Sarajevo where the pigeons live in a close contact with
people. Also, pigeon samples are provided from around the town's bakery and a farm for
intensive poultry breeding because the pigeons are considered a potential source of
infection for other birds, primarily domestic ones, and also for the people. We also took
samples of the breeding pheasants from a pheasant farm in Orašje, which is oriented
toward breeding and releasing pheasants into their natural habitat, but also breeding for the needs of hunting industry. Samples from the wild/hunting birds (ducks and wild
pheasants) were provided in the proximity of watercourses as their residence, and where
the hunting is of a greater extent.
To obtain valid diagnostic results we have used multiple diagnostic methods and
tests: bacteriological examination to exclude cross reactions, IIF (indirect
immunofluorescence) to confirm antibodies in the blood serum, ELISA (immunoesay)
and EIA (quick immunoessay) to detect antigen, and conventional PCR and rRT – PCR
to detect antigen as sensitive and sophisticated diagnostics methods