Outbreak of psittacosis in a group of women exposed to Chlamydia psittaci-infected chickens

Abstract

Eight cases of psittacosis due to Chlamydia psittaci were identified in May 2013 among 15 individuals involved in chicken gutting activities on a mixed poultry farm in France. All cases were women between 42 and 67 years-old. Cases were diagnosed by serology and PCR of respiratory samples. Appropriate treatment was immediately administered to the eight hospitalised individuals after exposure to birds had been discovered. In the chicken flocks, mainly C. gallinacea was detected, a new member of the family Chlamydiaceae, whereas the ducks were found to harbour predominantly C. psittaci, the classical agent of psittacosis. In addition, C. psittaci was found in the same flock as the chickens that the patients had slaughtered. Both human and C. psittaci-positive avian samples carried the same ompA genotype E/B of C. psittaci, which is widespread among French duck flocks. Repeated grassland rotations between duck and chicken flocks on the farm may explain the presence of C. psittaci in the chickens. Inspection by the veterinary service led to temporary closure of the farm. All birds had to be euthanised on site as no slaughterhouses accepted processing them. Farm buildings and grasslands were cleaned and/or disinfected before the introduction of new poultry birds.

Psittacosis Outbreak among Workers at Chicken Slaughter Plants, Virginia and Georgia, USA, 2018

“…A total of 58% of patients were men (age range 19–58 years). Bird evisceration was the most common job duty or title (reported by 53% of ill workers), consistent with previous psittacosis outbreaks ( 1 , 2 , 9 , 10 ). Twenty-nine workers were hospitalized (3 in intensive care) and had stays from 1 to 37 days.…”

Laboratory methods for case finding in human psittacosis outbreaks: a systematic review

“…Cases only in plant processing free-range ducks.Wallensten et al, 2014 [25]2013, SwedenHospitalized psittacosis patient who transmitted the bacterium to family, hospital room mate and medical staffPCR OmpA 3/3 (BAL)MIF 4/11 IgM, 6/11 IgG, convalescent 1/6 IgM, 3/6 IgGNoHuman-to-human transmission proven and index ICU patient died. His wife and 5 other secondary cases needed hospitalization: 7 confirmed, 3 probable, 1 possible case; MIF negative for C. trachomatis and C. pneumonia Laroucau et al, 2015 [35]2013, FranceWomen with chicken gutting activities on a mixed poultry farmRT-PCR Chlamydiaceae-spec 23SrRna specific IncA 4/5 sputum, 0/4 throat swabsMIF 2/8No8 Hospitalized cases; throat swabs taken after start medication, 4 confirmed, 1 probable, 3 possible cases; in chickens C. psittaci and C. gallinacea detectedDe Boeck et al, 2016 [33]2013, BelgiumBelgian couple and daughter bought lovebird in pet shop in the NetherlandsNested PCR OmpA 2/2, genotyping RT-PCR, pharyngeal swabIndirect IF IgM 1/3, IgG 2/3Pharyngeal swab 2/2Couple hospitalized; daughter, tested after self-treatment. One patient seronegative but PCR positive.…”

“…The zoonotic potential of these new species is not established well yet, but infection may not be detected by the currently available PCR tests for C. psittaci [57, 58]. Laroucau et al (2015) describe human psittacosis cases in contact with C. gallinacea and C. psittaci co-infected poultry but C. gallinacea could not be identified in the human cases [35]. …”

First Identification ofChlamydia psittaciin the Acute Illness and Death of Endemic and Endangered Psittacine Birds in Mexico

“…Research should also be performed on exotic avian species kept as pets, as well as poultry birds, due to the zoonotic implications, which are an important public health problem. Similarly, the presence of C. psittaci in other bird species, such as doves, waterfowl, and passerines, should be investigated because these other species may play an important dissemination role in aviaries (2,9,17,19,20). In addition, such an invetigation may lead to the identification of new species within the Chlamydiaceae (25,31).…”