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Psittacosis

Anthony Gak, MD and David M Berdy, MD, CPE Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A classic zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydophila psittaci. Psittacosis is almost always contracted by contact with infected birds (e.g., parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, pigeons, do...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Identify potential bird exposures.

  • A history of direct exposure to birds is not necessary.

  • Incubation period: 5 to 14 days (up to 4 weeks)

  • Abrupt onset of symptoms (mimics typhoid fever)

  • ...

TREATMENT

Rapid clinical response to doxycycline usually afebrile within 48 hours 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • History of avian exposure (particularly to a sick bird) helps make early diagnosis.

  • Severity of respira...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • In most states, psittacosis is a reportable disease.

  • Contact state or local health authority.

  • No persistent immunity to prevent reinfection

Patient Monitoring

Determi...

REFERENCES

1
Balsamo  G, Maxted  AM, Midla  JW, et al. Compendium of measures to control Chlamydia psittaci infection among humans (psittacosis) and pet birds (avian chlamydiosi...

ADDITIONAL READING

Honigsbaum  M. In search of sick parrots: Karl Friedrich Meyer, disease detective. Lancet.  2014; 383(9932): 1880– 1881. 

CODES

ICD10

A70 Chlamydia psittaci infections 

SNOMED

  • 75116005 Ornithosis (disorder)

  • 81164001 Ornithosis with pneumonia

  • 56672005 Ornithosis with complication

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The most important historical clues are contact with birds and the acute onset of a pronounced headache.

  • Fever, non-productive cough and headache are the most common symptoms.

  • Unilateral...

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