OrnithosisA70

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 09.04.2022

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Synonym(s)

Avian chlamydiosis; Ornithosis; Parrot Disease; Psittacosis

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Rare, notifiable (report by name in case of laboratory detection!), chlamydial infection transmissible aerogenically from birds to humans (through fecal and feather dust). No transmission from human to human.

PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.

Chlamydia psittaci

Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Nationwide about 80-100 diseases/year.

EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.

Infection of humans through contact with infested birds (secretions, feathers, faeces), especially from animal farms (ducks, turkeys) or pigeons More rarely, tropical birds or migratory birds appear as reservoirs.

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

Incubation period: 7-28 days.

Flu-like or pneumonic course. More severe infections are associated with fever, chills, severe general symptoms with headache and muscle pain, photosensitivity, and atypical interstitial pneumonia (cough and moderate, often hemorrhagic sputum).

Skin lesions: pallor, icteric skin, macular exanthema with small reddish-brown spots that disappear under glass spatula pressure. Rarely papular, multiforme or nodular erythema.

Splenomegaly

DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Chlamydia-psittaci antibody detection with monoclonal antibodies (e.g. ELISA) in blood and sputum. Alternatively: microimmunofluorescence test (MIF). Pathogen isolation (cultural) on incubated egg or in cell culture. PCR detection of the MOMP1 gene from sputum or blood.

TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Doxycycline (e.g. supracycline) 2 times/day 100 mg p.o. for 14-21 days.

Alternatively macrolides like erythromycin (e.g. erythrocin) 4 times/day 500 mg p.o.

Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.

Fatalities with antibiotic therapy: 0.5-5%.

ProphylaxisThis section has been translated automatically.

Quarantine of imported birds as well as infected humans.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Balsamo G et al (2017) Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis). J Avian Med Surg 31:262-282.
  2. Mandøe MJ et al (2014) Ornithosis is a diagnostic challenge. Ugeskr Laeger 176:V11130653.

Authors

Last updated on: 09.04.2022

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer