Psittacosis

Psittacosis



Lorna M. Seybolt, MD, MPH



Basic Information



Definition


Psittacosis is a systemic infection with Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) psittaci, named for psittacine birds. These birds were the organism’s earliest identified natural hosts.



Synonyms



Bird breeder’s disease

Bird fancier’s lung

Chlamydiosis

Ornithosis

Parrot fever

Pneumotyphus


ICD-9-CM Code



073.9 Psittacosis


Epidemiology & Demographics



• Infection is rare in children.

• Incubation period 5 to 15 days.

• Occurs throughout the world, generally sporadically but outbreaks are seen.

• Transmission occurs from infected birds to humans via the respiratory route by direct contact or inhalation of infectious organisms in aerosolized dust or secretions.

• Birds most commonly infected: parrots, parakeets, finches, turkeys, gulls, pigeons, ducks, and chickens. Most infected birds display minimal symptoms; some may be more severely affected, displaying ruffled feathers, closed eyes, shivering, anorexia, emaciation, dyspnea, serous or mucopurulent ocular or nasal discharge, and diarrhea.

• Infected birds may shed organisms for weeks to months.

• Individuals at greatest risk include pet bird owners, pigeon handlers, pet shop employees, poultry farmers, veterinarians, and poultry abattoir workers.


Clinical Presentation



History



• History of bird exposure, which may be brief (up to 25% report no exposure)

• Insidious or abrupt onset of fever, malaise

• Mononucleosis-like syndrome (fever, chills, malaise, pharyngitis, photophobia, myalgia)

• Atypical pneumonia with nonproductive cough, dyspnea, fever, and headache

• Other symptoms may include tinnitus, ataxia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, arthralgias, and rash.


Physical Examination



• Fever, pharyngeal erythema, adenopathy, rales on chest auscultation, and hepatomegaly in more than 50% of patients

• Splenomegaly and bradycardia with typhoidal form

• Less commonly: tachycardia (pericarditis, myocarditis, culture-negative endocarditis) or new murmur; right upper quadrant tenderness and jaundice (hepatitis); cranial nerve palsy, ataxia, neck stiffness (meningitis); diminished/absent reflexes, decreased strength/sensory level (transverse myelitis); joint pain and swelling (reactive arthritis); horder’s spots (pink, maculopapular rash resembling rose spots of typhoid fever)
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Jul 2, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Psittacosis

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