Veterinary Viewpoints

Abstract

Question 1: Why are the results of
Psittacosis testing difficult to interpret
and understand?
K. Hamlin,
Oklahoma
Answer 1: There are currently five
tests available for Psittacosis (Chlamydiosis)
testing in the live bird,
three of which are performed on
blood. The BELISA, the Complement
Fixation (CF), and the Latex Agglutination
(LA) measure the antibody
response to the Chlamydia. A positive
response can be an indication of
active infection or previous exposure.
False positives have been found
with the BELISA test.
The fourth test, the ELISA test, is an
antigen test performed on the stool,
measuring the antigen being shed
from the body. Since infected birds
will intermittently shed antigen, it is
possible to have a negative result in a
positive bird, because the test was...

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