A new species of Chlamydia isolated from Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis)

PLoS One. 2021 May 27;16(5):e0252081. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252081. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Chlamydia is a known pathogen in both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. However, the exact species/strain has not been clearly identified. In this study, we successfully cultivated Siamese crocodile Chlamydia in McCoy cells at a temperature of 30°C. Electron microscopy; phylogeny based on nine conserved taxonomically informative markers, on ompA, or on seven housekeeping genes; and whole-genome sequencing and analysis of the isolate confirmed the identity of the isolate as a new member of the genus Chlamydia, a new species that we name Chlamydia crocodili.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alligators and Crocodiles / microbiology*
  • Animals
  • Chlamydia* / classification
  • Chlamydia* / isolation & purification
  • Phylogeny

Grants and funding

This project was financially supported by the Thailand Research Fund (RGJ Advanced Programme) project code RAP59K0012.