Compendium of measures to control Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) infection among humans (psittacosis) and pet birds, 2005

Abstract

Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever and ornithosis, is a bacterial infection of humans that can cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems. It is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci, formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci. From 1988 through 2003, 935 human cases of psittacosis were reported to the CDC and most resulted from exposure to infected pet birds, usually cockatiels, parakeets, parrots, and macaws. In birds, C. psittaci infection is referred to as avian chlamydiosis. Infected birds shed the bacteria through feces and nasal discharges, and humans become infected from exposure to these materials. This compendium provides information about psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis to public health officials, physicians, veterinarians, the pet bird industry, and others concerned with controlling these diseases and protecting public health. The recommendations in this compendium provide standardized procedures for controlling avian chlamydiosis in birds, a vital step to protecting human health. This document will be reviewed and revised as necessary.

Two fatal cases of psittacosis caused by Chlamydophila psittaci

“…Psittacosis typically causes influenza-like symptoms, and the clinical presentation can range from mild respiratory infection to severe pneumonia and systemic illness. However, a recent study showed that less than 1 % of correctly treated patients died as a result of C. psittaci infection (Smith et al, 2005). Here, we describe two unusually severe cases with fatal outcomes, which occurred at two different poultry processing plants in Hungary.…”

“…Poultry-processing-plant employees should be considered a high-risk group for human psittacosis infections because of the close contact with domestic fowl, followed by handling and processing of poultry plumage and meat (Smith et al, 2005). In Hungary, the south-eastern counties are the most affected areas, as the majority of processing plants are traditionally located in this region.…”

“…Infections primarily occur in bird owners, pet shop employees, breeders, veterinarians, poultry workers and poultryprocessing-plant employees, mainly through the inhalation of aerosols from faeces and secretions of infected birds (Heddema et al, 2006;Jorgensen, 1997;Kaibu et al, 2006;Kovacova et al, 2007;Smith et al, 2005). Close and continued contact between humans and infected fowl may also lead to outbreaks (Smith et al, 2005). During 2005, in two major outbreaks, 140 cases were reported in Hungary, with a mortality rate of 1.4 % (Hungarian National Centre for Epidemiology, 2007).…”

High resolution typing of Chlamydophila psittaci by multilocus VNTR analysis (MLVA)

“…In humans, the symptoms of disease (termed psittacosis) are variable, ranging from no clinical signs at all to severe systemic disease (Andersen and Vanrompay 2000). From 1988 though 2003, a total of 935 human cases of psittacosis were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Smith et al 2005). Due to inherent difficulties in the diagnosis of psittacosis, prevalence rates are probably underestimated.…”

Protection of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) againstChlamydophila psittacichallenge by DNA vaccination

“…In birds, the course of infection can be rather mild but a mortality rate of 50% or even higher is not unusual 1 . Faecal and nasal excretions of diseased birds are the primary source of human infections [6,13,23]. However, apparent clinically healthy Psittaciformes also present a threat to human health, since many cockatoos, parrots, parakeets and lories never get rid of the bacterium once infected and most of them actually become Cp.…”