PSITTACOSIS (ORNITHOSIS)

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Is an infection caused by Chlamydophila psittaci (previously called Chlamydia psittaci) an obligate intracellular gram negative bacterium. Other species: Chlamydia avium and C. gallinacae have also been implicated in the infection broadly called Avian Chlamydiosis.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Outbreaks in poultry flocks are rare. Disease in poultry is associated with exposure to pet birds. It is transmitted by inhalation or ingestion. Carriers can shed the organism for extended periods. It is a zoonotic disease.

Clinical signs include nasal and ocular discharges, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, yellow-green droppings, inactivity, ruffled feathers, weakness, inappetence, weight loss, and decreased egg production.

Diagnostic Consideration

Clinical pathology, radiography, necropsy lesions. Can sometimes find organism in impression smears of affected tissues (Giemsa stain). Cloacal or conjunctival swabs for isolation of organism. Yolk-sac inoculation embryo culture or tissue culture.

Management and Treatment

Tetracyclines are the drugs of choice. Chlortetracycline at 400g/ton of feed for 2-6 weeks. Enrofloxacin in feed at 250-500ppm in feed for 2weeks are also effective.