Definition:
Ornithosis is a zoonotic infectious disease also known as psittacosis, parrot disease, and parrot fever.
Diagnosis:
Microbiological cultures are taken from respiratory secretions of patients and performed only done in biosafety laboratories because the culture of Chlamydia psittaci is hazardous. This process results in an increase in antibody titers against C. psittaci in blood samples with the probable course of the disease. History of exposure to the bacteria is important to the diagnosis.
Treatment:
The infection is treated with antibiotics -- tetracyclines and chloramphenicol. Alternatively, erythromycin is used in cases of pregnant women and children under 9 years old for whom tetracycline is contraindicated. Remission of symptoms is usually evident within 48-72 hours. A relapse can occur, and treatment must continue for at least 10-14 days after the fever drops.
Symptoms and Signs:
After a 5-14 day incubation period, the infected person has inapparent illness or systemic illness with severe pneumonia. During the first week, severe headache may occur. In severe cases, stupor or coma can result. In the second week, high fever continues. Severe pneumonia that would require an intensive-care support may also occur.
Causes:
Ornithosis is caused by the Chlamydophila psittaci bacterium that is contracted from birds especially from parrots as well as pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls.
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