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Psittacosis:
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A rickettsial agent active against humans and livestock (poultry). |
Synopsis, Diagnosis, Symptoms,
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Safety Precautions for Ornithosis Casualties |
Standard Precautions defined by the 1996 CDC guidelines should be adopted for handling patients.Airborne and droplet precautions may be necessary for severe cases.Biosafety level 2/3 practices should be adopted for handling of samples. |
| Causative organism: (Systematic name in 2002) | Chlamydiophila psittaci |
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| Older names: |
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| Alternative disease names: |
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| Properties: | very small Gram-negative bacillus, obligate intracellular parasite
(A small rod-shaped bacteria staining red in the Gram stain that can only grow inside host cells.) |
| Antibiotic treatments: |
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| Vector Involvement: | None. |
| Epidemiology of natural outbreaks: | The disease is widespread in birds and is common among those who handle live birds, such as breeders and pet owners. It is usually transmitted through air. Human-to-human spread has been seen with some virulent strains of the pathogen. |
Differential DiagnosisOther disease or conditions that need to be eliminated | |
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| Other infectious diseases | Other problems |
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After a 4-15 day incubation period, the onset of the disease is usually abrupt with fever, chills, malaise, headache, myalgia and upper or lower respiratory tract symptoms. When a cough develops it is often nonproductive or may produce blood-tinged sputum. Pneumonia is evident on X-rays. Nausea, vomiting, and a distended abdomen are among more severe symptoms. Myalgia and stiffness in the back and neck may lead to confusion with meningitis. There may also be a faint rash that resembles that seen with typhoid.
Medical and Physical Countermeasures.
Vaccination (Immunoprophylaxis).
A vaccine is not available.
Antibiotics.
Tetracycline is the preferred antibiotic and it may need to be given intravenously in severe cases. Treatment needs to be continued for two weeks after the fever subsides. Erythromycin is also effective. C. psittaci is resistant to penicillin, but penicillin G-procaine may be effective.
Supportive care
Decontamination.
The organism is susceptible to disinfectants including sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, and formaldehyde. Physical methods of inactivation include moist heat (autoclaving) at 121° C for for at least 15 min and dry heat (160-170° C for at least 1 hour).
Agent Properties and Potential Uses.
The agent is spread in nature from bird droppings and it can survive unprotected for several days to be spread as a wind-blown aerosol. It is normally contacted from apparently healthy birds and they could form a reservoir that would cause prolonged problems in the aftermath of an attack.
The agent could be used as an economic weapon by attacking the poultry industry.
Terrorist Acquisition and Attempted Use.
| IDC Codes: | ICD-9-CM | ICD-10 |
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| Ornithosis | 073 | A70 |
| Ornithosis with pneumonia | 073.0 | |
| Ornithosis with other specified complications | 073.7 | |
| Ornithosis with unspecified complications | 073.8 | |
| Ornithosis, unspecified | 073.9 |
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