Chlamydophila psittaci (Chlamydia psittaci)

Epidemiology

• organism harbored by birds
  • parrots
  • lories
  • turkeys
  • pigeons
  • other birds
• infected birds
  • anorexia
  • weight loss
  • diarrhea
  • ruffled feathers
  • inability to fly
  • conjunctivitis
  • rhinitis

Pathology

• psittacosis (ornithosis)
• community-acquired pneumonia (especially in the elderly)

Laboratory

• Chlamydophila psittaci serology
• Chlamydophila psittaci antigen
• Chlamydophila psittaci identified in specimen
• Chlamydophila psittaci DNA
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae+Chlamydophila psittaci DNA
• culture for Chlamydophila psittaci
• Chlamydophila psittaci in placenta by electron microscopy
• see ARUP consult

Management

• tetracycline
• alternative: macrolide

More general terms

• Chlamydophila

Additional terms

• Chlamydia DNA
• hypersensitivity pneumonitis; extrinsic allergic alveolitis; pigeon breeder's lung; bird fancier's lung; farmer's lung; allergic pneumonitis
• psittacosis (ornithosis, parrot fever)