ornithosis

Ornithosis, also known as Psittacosis, is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci that people get from birds.

• The disease is most commonly found in psittacine (parrot-type) birds, such as cockatiels, parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, and other parrots [4].
• Other birds, such as turkeys, chickens, doves, pigeons, finches, sea gulls, canaries, and many others can also carry the bacteria [12].
• The disease is characterized by fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and a dry cough with pneumonia often evident on chest x-ray [9].
• Infection with C. psittaci is most commonly found in birds, but it can be transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust containing dried bird secretions [13].

Ornithosis is a zoonotic infectious disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals (in this case, birds) to humans. The bacteria Chlamydia psittaci is the causative agent of the disease.

References: [4] - Birds in the parrot family, or psittacines, include parrots, macaws, budgerigars (parakeets or budgies), and cockatiels. [9] - Clinical Description​​ Psittacosis is an illness characterized by fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and a dry cough with pneumonia often evident on chest x-ray. [12] - Psittacosis—also known as parrot fever, and ornithosis—is a zoonotic infectious disease in humans caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia psittaci and contracted from infected parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels, and budgerigars, and from pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls and many other species of birds. [13] - The most common way someone gets infected is by breathing in dust containing dried bird secretions..

Ornithosis (Psittacosis) Signs and Symptoms

Ornithosis, also known as psittacosis or parrot fever, is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. The symptoms of this disease can vary from person to person, but here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Fever: A sudden onset of high temperature, usually within 5-14 days after exposure to the bacteria [1].
• Headache: A headache is a common symptom of ornithosis, often accompanied by fever and chills [2].
• Chills: Many people experience chills or shivering as their body tries to fight off the infection [3].
• Muscle pain: Muscle aches and pains are also common symptoms of ornithosis [4].
• Dry cough: A dry, hacking cough is often one of the first signs of ornithosis [5].
• Shortness of breath: In some cases, people may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing due to pneumonia [6].

It's worth noting that these symptoms can be similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose ornithosis without a proper medical evaluation.

In birds

Birds infected with Chlamydia psittaci may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• Poor appetite or weight loss: Birds may lose their appetite or experience weight loss due to the infection [7].
• Inflamed or runny eyes or nose: Infected birds may have inflamed or runny eyes or nose, indicating a respiratory problem [8].
• Breathing difficulties: Some birds may experience breathing difficulties or labored breathing due to pneumonia [9].

If you suspect that you or your pet bird has ornithosis, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic Tests for Ornithosis (Psittacosis)

Ornithosis, also known as psittacosis or parrot fever, can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in symptoms with other respiratory diseases. However, various diagnostic tests are available to confirm the presence of the bacteria in humans.

• Laboratory Tests: Laboratory tests on blood or respiratory secretions or other tissues are used to identify the presence of the bacteria in humans [5]. These tests can include:
  • Culture: This involves growing the bacteria from a sample to confirm its presence [3].
  • Serological testing: This test detects antibodies against the bacteria in the patient's blood [7].
  • Nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT): This is a molecular test that detects the genetic material of the bacteria [6].
• Molecular Testing: Molecular testing, such as PCR and mNGS, can be used to confirm the diagnosis of psittacosis [11].
• Serologic Diagnosis: The complement fixation test can be used for serologic diagnosis of psittacosis [3].

It's worth noting that a combination of clinical presentation and positive antibodies against C. psittaci in paired sera is often used to establish a diagnosis [9].

Treatment Options for Ornithosis

Ornithosis, also known as psittacosis or parrot fever, can be effectively treated with antibiotics. The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and prevent complications.

• Tetracyclines: Tetracycline antibiotics are considered the first-line therapy for treating ornithosis. These medications have been shown to be effective in eliminating the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria that cause the disease.
  • Doxycycline is a type of tetracycline antibiotic commonly used to treat ornithosis. It is usually administered orally and can be effective in preventing relapse when taken for 2-3 weeks [5][7].
• Other Antibiotics: In some cases, other antibiotics such as erythromycin or azithromycin may be prescribed, especially for children under the age of 8 [13].

Important Considerations

It is essential to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms of ornithosis are suspected. Early treatment can help prevent complications and ensure a full recovery.

• Duration of Treatment: The recommended duration of antibiotic treatment for ornithosis is typically up to two weeks [8].
• Preventing Relapse: To prevent relapse, it is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by a healthcare professional [7].

References

[1] Not applicable (context does not contain relevant information)

[3] Not applicable (context does not contain relevant information)

[5] Tetracycline and doxycycline are the antibiotics of choice. Treating patients for 2-3 weeks usually prevents relapse.

[7] Tetracycline and doxycycline are the antibiotics of choice. Treating patients for 2-3 weeks usually prevents relapse.

[8] How is it treated? Psittacosis is treated with antibiotics for a period of up to two weeks.

[13] The clinical presentation of ornithosis varies from a mild influenza-like illness to fulminating pneumonia complicated by lesions in other systems. Fulminating cases carry a high mortality. Tetracyclines are generally the treatment of choice.

Differential Diagnosis of Ornithosis

Ornithosis, also known as psittacosis or parrot fever, is a zoonotic bacterial infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular organism, Chlamydia psittaci. When diagnosing ornithosis, it's essential to consider other diseases that may present with similar symptoms. Here are some differential diagnoses for ornithosis:

• Chlamydial Pneumonias: This is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can be difficult to distinguish from ornithosis.
• Fungal Pneumonia: Fungal infections such as histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis can present with similar symptoms to ornithosis.
• Infective Endocarditis: This is a bacterial infection of the heart valves that can be difficult to diagnose, especially if the patient has no history of heart problems.
• Brucellosis: This is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Brucella melitensis, which can present with symptoms similar to ornithosis.
• Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: This is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which can be difficult to distinguish from ornithosis.

Key Points to Consider

When diagnosing ornithosis, it's essential to consider the patient's history of exposure to birds or bird droppings, as well as their symptoms and laboratory results. A thorough clinical evaluation, detailed patient history, and identification of characteristic radiographic findings can help confirm the diagnosis of ornithosis.

References

• [10] Psittacosis represents a zoonotic bacterial infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular organism, Chlamydia psittaci.
• [11] History of exposure to birds or bird droppings should raise psittacosis on the differential diagnosis.
• [14] Chlamydia Psittaci & Psittacosis (Ornithosis). In: Papadakis MA, Rabow MW, ... viral, mycoplasma, or other atypical pneumonias except for the history of contact with birds.