Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci infections in a human population in contact with domestic and companion birds

Abstract

Chlamydophila psittaci infections in humans are underestimated. We investigated the occurrence of C. psittaci in a Belgian population of 540 individuals. Data were from a population survey (n52524) of apparently healthy community-dwelling subjects aged 35-55 years. Pharyngeal swabs and blood were taken. Individuals completed a questionnaire on professional and nonprofessional activities, smoking habits, medical history and contact frequency with different bird species. Swabs were analysed by a C. psittaci-specific and a Chlamydophila pneumoniaespecific PCR. Sera were tested by a recombinant C. psittaci major outer-membrane proteinbased ELISA, a C. psittaci whole organism-based ELISA (Serion) and a microimmunofluorescence test (Focus Diagnostics). Results confirmed our suspicion about the underestimation of psittacosis in Belgium. Psittaciformes and racing pigeons were the main infection source. Women with excessive alcohol intake defined as a mean intake of .2 units daily were more frequently infected than men. We analysed the effect of seropositivity and/or PCR positivity on inflammation (white blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen). In general, seropositivity showed a trend to slightly higher levels of inflammatory variables (all nonsignificant), whilst PCR positivity showed a trend to no effect or even lower inflammatory levels.

Diagnóstico imuno-histoquímico e caracterização anatomopatológica de clamidiose em psitacídeos

“…A clamidiose é considerada uma importante doença ocupacional e vá-rios estudos apontam sorologia positiva em funcionários de zoológicos e criatórios de aves (Heddema et al 2006, Vanrompay et al 2007, Harkinezhad et al 2009, Raso et al 2010. No surto descrito neste estudo, várias pessoas que entraram em contato com as caturritas, adoecerem.…”

“…Esse agente já foi detectado em mais de 460 espécies de aves e os psitacídeos são os mais acometidos (Kaleta & Taday 2003). Em humanos C. psittaci causa a clamidiose, uma das principais zoonoses de origem aviária (Heddema et al 2006, Vanrompay et al 2007, Petrovay & Balla 2008, Harkinezhad et al 2009, Raso et al 2010.…”

Prevalence and genotype of Chlamydia psittaci in faecal samples of birds from zoos and pet markets in Kunming, Yunnan, China

“…Human psittacosis is a notifiable disease in the USA, Australia, and most European countries (Harkinezhad et al, 2009a). There have been 6500 cases reported from 1996 to 2007 in these regions (Harkinezhad et al, 2009b). However, no vaccines or valid agents are available against C. psittaci.…”

Psittacosis associated with pet bird ownership: a concern for public health

“…Additionally, antimicrobials employed empirically for the therapy of community-acquired pneumonia may prevent an accurate diagnosis (CDC, 1992). This disease is becoming a more significant public health concern because of the popularity of pet birds and the placement of birds in childcare facilities, garden centres and rest homes (Matsui et al, 2008;Harkinezhad et al, 2009). In this report, we present mild and severe cases of psittacosis in members of a family who owned pet birds.…”