Chlamydioses : Preface

Chlamydiaceae spp. are widely distributed throughout the world, causing various forms of disease in animals and humans. Several species, particularly Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus, are known to be transmissible from animals to humans, resulting in significant zoonotic infections. Other chlamydia-like agents, such as Waddlia chondrophila and Parachlamydia spp., are emerging as potentially important pathogens. This special issue on chlamydioses represents a culmination of some of the areas of research conducted as part of COST Action 855 Animal Chlamydioses and the Zoonotic Implications. COST, founded in 1971, is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research that enables the co-ordination of nationally funded research on a European level. The main objective of COST Action 855 was to promote cooperation between researchers, veterinarians and clinicians involved in order to achieve a better understanding of the spread and importance of animal chlamydioses in Europe. The risks and impact of animal chlamydioses to human health arising from contact with reared, companion, synanthropic and wild animals was also assessed.