Psittacosis: Causes, Symptoms, Daignosis, Prevention and Treatment

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Psittacosis
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Psittacosis

• Psittacosis is an infectious disease that
  contains flu-like symptoms further affecting
  humans it is caused by a microorganism called
  Chlamydophila psittaci.Psittacosis is commonly
  contracted from parrots, pigeons and poultry
  birds (the bacteria causes avian chlamydiosis in
  these birds), but other birds can also transmit
  the disease.This condition mainly attacks the
  lungs and damages them, leading to the symptoms
  of dry cough, fever, chills, fatigue, and
  shortness of breath. The infection may also
  progress and affect other organs like the brain,
  heart, and liver.

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What are the risk factors associated with
Psittacosis?

• The risk factors of Psittacosis include
• Birds owners, commonly parrot or pigeon owners
• Pet shop employees
• Veterinarians, lab workers
• Those who work in poultry farms, individuals who
  slaughter and process poultry
• It is important to note that having a risk
  factor does not mean that one will get the
  condition. A risk factor increases ones
  probability of getting a condition compared to an
  individual who is not having the risk factors.
  Some risk factors are more important than others.

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What are the causes of Psittacosis?

• Psittacosis is a bacterial infection that is
  caused by the pathogenic organism Chlamydia
  psittaci. This bacterium generally goes into the
  body through inhalation of the infected birds
  respiratory droplets and dried feces powder
  (droppings).A transmission of the infection can
  also occur through bird bites (pecks),
  beak-to-mouth contact, and while handling the
  birds (from bird plumage). The infected birds
  often do not present any signs and
  symptoms.Occasionally, the infected birds
  spread the disease to mammals (cattle, sheep, and
  goats), resulting in the spread of Psittacosis to
  humans through direct contact, on exposure to the
  mammals. Human to human transmission is also
  possible, though it is rarely seen.

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How is Psittacosis diagnosed?

• The diagnosis of Psittacosis may include
• Complete evaluation of medical history along with
  a thorough physical exam. During physical exam,
  the physician will listen to abnormal lung sounds
• Complete blood count (CBC) The white blood cell
  levels may be normal to mildly decreased
• Serologic test to observe antibody titre against
  the organism
• X-ray of the chest It may reveal the presence of
  pneumonia
• CT scan of the chest
• Blood culture A culture of the organism is
  usually avoided, because it can be hazardous to
  the laboratory workers

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How is Psittacosis diagnosed?
Continue

• Many clinical conditions may have similar signs
  and symptoms. Your doctor may recommend some
  additional tests to extract other clinical
  conditions to get at a definitive diagnosis.

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What are the signs symptoms of Psittacosis?

• Normally, the signs and symptoms of Psittacosis
  appear within the first 2 weeks on exposure to
  the organism (incubation period of 5-19 days). It
  includes the following
• Dry cough, sore throat
• Shortness of breath, fatigue
• Chest pain
• Fever and chills
• Headache, joint aches, and muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pneumonia
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Photophobia (increased sensitivity to light)

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How is Psittacosis treated?

• Psittacosis treatment is undertaken using
  antibiotics. Doxycycline is the most commonly
  used antibiotic, while other antibiotics that may
  be administered include
• Macrolides
• Fluoroquinolones
• Intravenous administration of antibiotics in
  severe cases

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