Psittacosis overview
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Psittacosis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Psittacosis overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Psittacosis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Psittacosis zoonotic infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) and contracted not only from parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels and budgerigars, but also from pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, sea gulls and many other species of bird. The incidence of infection in canaries and finches is believed to be lower than in psittacine birds. As a systemic zoonotic infection with protean clinical features, the major risk factor is exposure to birds. Hence, bird owners, veterinarians, those involved with breeding and selling birds, and commercial poultry processors are most at risk. Patients typically present with 1 week of fevers, headache, myalgias, and a nonproductive cough. Although pneumonia is the most common manifestation, all organ systems can be involved. Serology remains the mainstay of diagnosis; however, polymerase chain reaction techniques offer a rapid and specific alternative. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice.