A Brief Review of ... Psittacosis in the aviculturist

Abstract

Psittacosis is an infectious disease
in birds which can be transmitted to
humans. This disease process may be
mild or serious. It may encompass
infection without symptoms, a transient
flu-like syndrome, pneumonia,
or serious multi-systemic organ compromise
resulting in death. Fever
(99.1%), chills (100%), cough
(96.1% ), headache (98.9% ), weakness
or fatigue (100%), and aching all
over (99 .1%) were the six most commonly
reported signs and symptoms
associated with psittacosis. Obviously
these findings are non-specific and
frequently associated with more common
viral or bacterial diseases such as
''colds'' or respiratory tract infections.
The aforementioned signs and
symptoms were among those frequently
reported in the 1975 through
1984 Psittacosis Surveillance by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In fiscal year 1986, approximately
700,000 caged birds were brought to
the United States through quarantine
stations suggesting potential disease
exposure to significant numbers of
persons. For the 1,025 cases with
reported source of psittacosis infection,
pet cage birds accounted for 719
cases (70%). Turkeys accounted for
159 cases (15% ), and domestic and
wild pigeons accounted for 100
( 10% ). The figures and tables from
the CDC illustrate part of the epidemiology
of psittacosis in the United
States. Diagnosis is challenging, confirmation
is slow, and initial evaluation
may be hampered by a low index
of suspicion. In reality, the disease is
likely to be missed unless the treating
physician knows the patient has bird
contact. Initiation of therapy may
precede laboratory verification of
infection. It is hoped the following
information will prove helpful in
understanding and preventing this
disease process.