Compendium of Measures to ControlChlamydia psittaciInfection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2017

Abstract

Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever and ornithosis, is a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems in humans. It is caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Reclassification of the order Chlamydiales in 1999 into 2 genera (Chlamydia and Chlamydophila) was not wholly accepted or adopted. This resulted in a reversion to the single, original genus Chlamydia, which now encompasses all 9 species including Chlamydia psittaci. During 2003-2014, 112 human cases of psittacosis were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. While many types of birds can be infected by C psittaci, in general, the literature suggests that human cases can most often occur after exposure to infected parrot-type birds kept as pets, especially cockatiels, parakeets, and conures. 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 to control C psittaci infections. This document will be reviewed and revised as necessary, and the most current version replaces all previous versions. This document was last revised in 2010. Major changes in this version include a recommendation for a shorter treatment time for birds with avian chlamydiosis, additional information about diagnostic testing, including genotyping, clearer language associated with personal protective equipment recommended for those caring for confirmed or exposed birds, and incorporating a grading scale with recommendations generally based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force's methods.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of severe pneumonias caused by Chlamydia psittaci

“…Our nine cases of severe psittacosis pneumonia, diagnosed with the aid of mNGS, and had characteristics and clinical features that differed from previously reported cases [7,9]. Previous reports on psittacosis have included chills, white phlegm, cough, generalised myalgia, and weakness as general symptoms, and most reported cases have been of mild-to-middle severity [1,2]. In our nine cases, headache was a prominent feature in seven patients, and five patients had lethargy or a coma, with one patient being suspected to have meningitis initially.…”

“…The mNGS took 48-72 h from the receipt of the sample to the reporting of the results. When C. psittaci infection was confirmed, the antibiotic was changed to minocycline [2]. Patients with sepsis and protracted clinical courses were also treated with supplementary carbapenems, linezolid, or tigecycline.…”

“…Patients with sepsis and protracted clinical courses were also treated with supplementary carbapenems, linezolid, or tigecycline. Minocycline was administered for at least 2 weeks, according to recommendations [2].…”

“…Chlamydia psittaci infection in humans, known as parrot fever, ornithosis, or psittacosis, usually manifests as pneumonia, which ranges in severity from asymptomatic to fatal [1,2]. Chlamydia psittaci is responsible for less than 5% of community-acquired pneumonia [3,4].…”

“…Contact with birds or poultry is regarded as the main risk factor for psittacosis, although it has been reported that 27% of patients do not have direct avian exposure [2]. The flu-like atypical pneumonia symptoms and an exposure history to birds are the primary criteria for clinical diagnosis.…”