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Psittacosis Updated 3/2011

Jon S. Parham, DO, MPH
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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Pathophysiology
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • A classic zoonotic disease, psittacosis is associated primarily with contact with infected birds (e.g., parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, pigeons, doves, mynah birds, canaries, finches, birds of prey, and shore birds) and some mammals.
    • Discovery: First described in 1879 in Switzerland
    • Agent: Chlamydophilapsittaci
    • Clinical: A systemic infectious disease of variable severity that initially causes influenza-like symptoms but primarily affects the lung, where it causes an atypical pneumonia; may spread hematogenously from lung to other organs
    • Severity: Subclinical infection to fulminant sepsis with multi-organ system failure may occur in usually healthy persons.
  • Often occupation-related: Affecting poultry farmers, ranchers, and zoo and pet shop employees
  • Synonym(s): Ornithosis; Parrot fever; Bird-breeder’s disease; Bird-fancier lung ...

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19.22 Chancroid. This patient has multiple painful ulcers on the glans penis. From Goodheart HP. Goodheart's Photoguide to Common Skin Disorders: Diagnosis and Management, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.