PSITTACOSISChlamydophila psittaci

Presented byLeigh Clodfelter

Etiology: Bacterial

Gram Negative

Coccoid

Resistant to Drying

Remains viable on surfaces for 2-3 weeks

Survives in turkey carcass for over 1 year

Obligate intracellular bacterium

Chlamydophila psittaci

Formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci

Also known asPsittacosis, Parrot Fever and Ornithosis

Morbidity + Mortality ++

History 1879 - First recognized human outbreak

1929-1930 - 750 human cases with 20% mortality

1935 - Wild psittacines in Australia

1980s - 70% of cases due to having caged birds

1988-2002 - 923 cases in U.S.

2002-2006 - 66 human cases of reported to the CDC

2011-2012 - Psittacosis outbreak in Tayside, Scotland

Transmission Inhalation of dried bird

droppings of infected birds

Handling the feathers or tissues of infected birds

Mouth-to-beak contact

Risk of Psittacosis is highest among:

Bird OwnersVeterinarians

Laboratory WorkersPet Shop Employees

Poultry Workers(including workers in processing plants)

Psittacosis in Birds

Symptoms Include:

Lethargy

Decreased appetite

Ruffled feathers

Ocular or nasal discharge

Diarrhea and/or green to yellow-green droppings

The typical incubation periodfor birds ranges from 3 days to several

weeks. Rarely, birds may appear healthy and shed the bacteria in their droppings.

Birds spread to one another by:

Ingestion of contaminated materials

Close Contact

Inhalation of aerosolized bacteria from dried, contaminated excretions

Psittacosis in Birds

Vascular Congestion

http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/488

Acute fibrinous air sacculitis

Psittacosis in Humans

Symptoms Include:

Fever

Chills

Headache

Malaise

Muscle aches

Dry cough

Shortness of breath

On average, symptoms begin within5 to 14 days following exposure.

Symptoms can range from unapparent to severe pneumonia and death.

Treatment Diagnosis of Psittacosis may include: pathologic

diagnosis, culture, tests for antibody, tests for antigen and other tests such as RIM (rapid immunomigration)

Commercial vaccines are not available

Antibiotics are used to cure Psittacosis

Humans typically respond well to tetracyclines given orally

For birds, antibiotics can be given through medicated feed or water, syrup, or injections

Control & Prevention Clean up bird droppings

Reduce stress in birds

Keep the circulation of feathersand dust to a minimum

If you suspect your bird or flockmay be infected, take them to a veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment

Psittacosisin Zoo Animals

Budgerigars(Melopsittacus undulatus)Parakeet Aviary Closed

DiscussionA Basic Disease Prevention Program

What kind of things should beconsidered when planning a disease prevention program?

DiscussionA Basic Disease Prevention Program

What kind of things should beconsidered when planning a disease prevention program?

Stress

Quarantine/Acclimation

Aviary Design

Feed and Water Quality

Miscellaneous Factors

Questions

Works CitedButcher, Gary D. and Richard D. Miles. "Disease Prevention in Commercial Aviaries." University of Florida

IFAS Extension, 2012. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm006>

"Chlamydophila Psittaci." Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Atlas of Avian Diseases, 2012. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/488>

Colville, Joann, and David Berryhill. Handbook of Zoonoses Identification and Prevention. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 2007. Print.

Kauffman, Melissa. "Budgies In Zoo Atlanta Test Positive For Psittacosis." Bird Channel.com, 6 Dec 2012. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-news/2012/12/06/budgies-in-zoo-atlanta-test-psittacosis.aspx>

McGuigan CC, McIntyre PG, Templeton K. Psittacosis outbreak in Tayside, Scotland, December 2011 to February 2012. Euro Surveill.,31 May 2012. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20186>

"Psittacosis." CDC. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Jan 2009. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/psittacosis_t.htm>

"Psittacosis/Avian Chlamydiosis." Iowa State University. The Center for Food Security & Public Health, Jun 2009. Web. 26 Mar 2013. <http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/psittacosis.pdf>