Avian Chlamydiosis and Human Psittacosis
These infections are among the most important to know about as someone who cares for and about birds. The following notes are from my book "Caring for Birds with Love" (Click here to find out more about this book).
The following is a excerpt from the chapter of the above book on "Avian Chlamydiosis"
Avian chlamydiosis, psittacosis and ornithosis
Please explain the terms!
Each of the above terms refers basically to the same disease. Avian Chlamydophilosis became the scientific name for the disease about 10 years ago when scientists changed the name of the associated bacteria from Chlamyidia psittaci to Chlamydophila psittaci because they had determined that the bacteria should be in there own genus and be not lumped together with Chlamydia trachoma and other Chlamydia spp. However currently the name of the bacteria has been changed back to Chlamydia psittaci and Avian Chlamydiosis is the current scientific term for the disease in both birds, people and other animals. The term “psittacosis” refers to the common name of the disease when it affects people and was acquired from psittacine birds. Ornithosis is an old term for the human disease when in was acquired from non-psittacine birds.
However, these days “Chlamydiosis” or “Avian Chlamydiosis” are probably preferred terms. Other lay terms are “bird fever” and “parrot fever”. All these terms basically refer to the same disease.
Tell me about Chlamydla psittaci!
This organism is a bacterium that is usually smaller than most bacteria and bigger than most viruses. It is just visible under oil immersion high magnification using a light microscope if it is specially stained. It has a complex life cycle and often re-combines genetically with other strains of the organisms to form new strains. Such strains can vary in their probability of being associated with disease in different species of birds. For example, a particular strain of Chlamydia psittaci of birds may be associated with many deaths in a short period of time in an aviary of canaries and yet the same strain might be only occasionally associated with mild disease in a flock of budgies, or vice versa.
Can apparently healthy birds be infected with Chlamydia psittaci and become carriers?
Yes. Many apparently healthy wild and captive birds are infected with this organism but do not show signs of disease due to this infection. They can remain carriers of the organisms without becoming ill for months, years and possibly, for life. Such birds can intermittently pass or release Chlamydia psittaci organisms into their respiratory secretions and their faeces.
How are Chlamydia psittaci spread between birds and people?
They are usually spread via respiratory secretions such as sneezed or coughed droplets and faeces that has become dry and dusty that are then inhaled or ingested by other birds and people.
How long can the bacteria remain infectious in the environment?
Under some circumstances the answer is weeks to months.
What is the incubation period of the disease?
Days, weeks or months. Commonly about 7-14 days. The disease “chlamydiosis” can develop suddenly or very slowly or anywhere in between, depending on the influence of a wide range of interacting factors such as nutrition, presence or absence of concurrent diseases, climate, stress, hygiene and sanitation, medications ... there are many more.
What predisposes birds and people to Chlamydiosis?
Increasingly chlamydiosis is being seen as a disease affecting birds and people with compromised immune systems or concurrent diseases. People with AIDS, people receiving chemotherapy, people taking anti-inflammatory drugs especially corticosteroids, people under severe stress, smokers and alcoholics, the very young and the very old are all
How does Avian Chlamydiosis affect birds?
Avian chlamydiosis can affect birds in many different ways ranging from apparently mild cases of conjunctivitis or “one eye cold”, sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections, infections of the lungs, air sacs, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, other organs and sometimes of the nervous system. It can be a chronic debilitating disease in birds or it can be rapidly fatal.
The following is a excerpt from the chapter of the above book on "Avian Chlamydiosis"
Avian chlamydiosis, psittacosis and ornithosis
Please explain the terms!
Each of the above terms refers basically to the same disease. Avian Chlamydophilosis became the scientific name for the disease about 10 years ago when scientists changed the name of the associated bacteria from Chlamyidia psittaci to Chlamydophila psittaci because they had determined that the bacteria should be in there own genus and be not lumped together with Chlamydia trachoma and other Chlamydia spp. However currently the name of the bacteria has been changed back to Chlamydia psittaci and Avian Chlamydiosis is the current scientific term for the disease in both birds, people and other animals. The term “psittacosis” refers to the common name of the disease when it affects people and was acquired from psittacine birds. Ornithosis is an old term for the human disease when in was acquired from non-psittacine birds.
However, these days “Chlamydiosis” or “Avian Chlamydiosis” are probably preferred terms. Other lay terms are “bird fever” and “parrot fever”. All these terms basically refer to the same disease.
Tell me about Chlamydla psittaci!
This organism is a bacterium that is usually smaller than most bacteria and bigger than most viruses. It is just visible under oil immersion high magnification using a light microscope if it is specially stained. It has a complex life cycle and often re-combines genetically with other strains of the organisms to form new strains. Such strains can vary in their probability of being associated with disease in different species of birds. For example, a particular strain of Chlamydia psittaci of birds may be associated with many deaths in a short period of time in an aviary of canaries and yet the same strain might be only occasionally associated with mild disease in a flock of budgies, or vice versa.
Can apparently healthy birds be infected with Chlamydia psittaci and become carriers?
Yes. Many apparently healthy wild and captive birds are infected with this organism but do not show signs of disease due to this infection. They can remain carriers of the organisms without becoming ill for months, years and possibly, for life. Such birds can intermittently pass or release Chlamydia psittaci organisms into their respiratory secretions and their faeces.
How are Chlamydia psittaci spread between birds and people?
They are usually spread via respiratory secretions such as sneezed or coughed droplets and faeces that has become dry and dusty that are then inhaled or ingested by other birds and people.
How long can the bacteria remain infectious in the environment?
Under some circumstances the answer is weeks to months.
What is the incubation period of the disease?
Days, weeks or months. Commonly about 7-14 days. The disease “chlamydiosis” can develop suddenly or very slowly or anywhere in between, depending on the influence of a wide range of interacting factors such as nutrition, presence or absence of concurrent diseases, climate, stress, hygiene and sanitation, medications ... there are many more.
What predisposes birds and people to Chlamydiosis?
Increasingly chlamydiosis is being seen as a disease affecting birds and people with compromised immune systems or concurrent diseases. People with AIDS, people receiving chemotherapy, people taking anti-inflammatory drugs especially corticosteroids, people under severe stress, smokers and alcoholics, the very young and the very old are all
How does Avian Chlamydiosis affect birds?
Avian chlamydiosis can affect birds in many different ways ranging from apparently mild cases of conjunctivitis or “one eye cold”, sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections, infections of the lungs, air sacs, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, other organs and sometimes of the nervous system. It can be a chronic debilitating disease in birds or it can be rapidly fatal.
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Gold Coast Bird Vet Specialist Dr Ross Perry, 23 Cornwall Drive, Elanora 4221 consulting strictly by appointment. To make appointment please ring 07 55226124 or 0419693279 or 0435848778. Similarly long distance phone or Skype (DoctorRossPerry) or iChat (DoctorRossPerry) consultations.
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