Chlamydial infections in animals
Chlamydophila felis : Epidemiology
C. felis is endemic among house cats world wide, primarily causing conjunctivitis and rhinitis
(Gaillard et al., 1984). The prevalence of C. felis infection in domestic cats can lead to conjunctivitis in young cats. Infected kittens may demonstrate severe conjunctivitis. Chlamydial organisms can be demonstrated in conjunctival swabs from such kittens.
The disease is probably transmitted via infected aerosols and secretions. If left untreated, infection will clear spontaneously. However, in untreated cats, conjunctivitis may recur every 10-14 days.
In cats that have recovered from conjunctivitis, inapparent chlamydial infection may persist, and can lead to enzootic disease in catteries.
Humans are probably more exposed to C. felis strains than any other
zoonotic chlamydiae, although chlamydial strains from mammals tend to be of relatively low infectivity for man.
Thus, conjunctival infection in cats is not usually considered as a major cause of
symptomatic infection in humans. However, zoonotic infection of humans with C. felis have been
described, [see human infections]. It is noteworthy that the feline chlamydial pneumonia
reported by Baker (1944) occurred on farms on which calves were affected by
pneumonia [see: C. abortus in cattle].
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