Detection and identification of Chlamydia spp. from pigeons in Iran by nested PCR and sequencing

, an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative zoonotic pathogen, has eight serovars and nine genotypes isolated from avian species with higher frequency in parrots and pigeons. The aim of this study was to characterize spp. using nested PCR and sequencing. A total of 270 pharyngeal swab samples collected randomly from asymptomatic pigeons of 30 pigeon aviaries in Tehran province. DNA was extracted with specific kit and amplified by specific primers in the first PCR and outer membrane protein A gene in the second PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic tree analyzed based on the gene. Records showed that 16 of 30 (53%) pigeon aviaries were positive for spp. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 15 of 16 (93.7%) positive samples, belonged to genotype B whereas the other sample belonged to detected in 50% of pigeon aviaries that is high rate in Tehran province. As is a zoonosis and life threaten pathogen for human being, these results indicate the significance of it detection in asymptomatic pigeons. Also, this is the first report of presence in Iranian pigeons which its zoonotic potential is still unknown.