Molecular genetic characterization of avian Chlamydophila psittaci isolates

Restriction enzyme analysis of the omp1 gene was used to characterize 51 avian Chlamydophila psittaci isolates. The analysis confirmed the predominance of genotype A in parrot C. psittaci isolates and revealed new omp1 genotypes in corvid C. psittaci isolates. The corvid isolates proved to lack an extrachromosomal plasmid. The omp1 and rRNA IGS sequences were determined for the new isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolate 1V, obtained from a crow, is intermediate in several characters between C. abortus and C. psittaci. The results were compared with data on the phylogenetic relationships of earlier chlamydium isolates.