Chlamydophilia (also called psittacosis, ornithosis, or parrot fever) is caused by an intracellular bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci. Bird owners should be well informed about this bacterium.
TRANSMISSION
The disease is mainly transmitted by inhalation or ingestion of particles from feces, respiratory secretions (or feather dust). The risk of infection is therefore increased when there is close contact with an infected bird that is excreting the organism. The disease is also more common in any stressed bird. The incubation period varies from three days to several weeks.
CLINICAL SIGNS
Birds affected by this disease can show a wide range of clinical signs, from being completely asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) to experiencing rapid and severe illness that leads to death. In some cases, birds may carry the disease chronically, meaning they are infected but do not exhibit obvious signs.
General symptoms often include loss of appetite, weight loss, ruffled plumage, and lethargy. More specific signs typically involve the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Birds may show symptoms such as nasal and eye discharge, sneezing, and difficulty breathing, as well as greenish diarrhea, excessive urine output, and green urates. One or more of these symptoms may be present, but other illnesses can also mimic these signs. That’s why it’s essential to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.
Stress is a major predisposing factor. A bird can appear perfectly healthy even if infected, but a stressful event—such as transport, overcrowding, malnutrition, or breeding—can trigger illness. Unfortunately, infected parents can pass the bacteria to their young, who are more vulnerable to severe disease and may die suddenly without warning.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing chlamydophilia in birds can be challenging. General indicators of this issue may include a high white blood cell count and elevated levels of kidney and liver enzymes. However, more specific diagnostic methods, such as antibody serology and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), are typically used for a more accurate diagnosis.
It’s important to understand that no test can definitively rule out chlamydophilia in a bird. While a negative test result strongly suggests the bird is not infected, it cannot provide absolute certainty. This is because birds can intermittently shed the bacteria, meaning a negative test may not always be entirely accurate. In some cases, repeating the test at a later time may be necessary.
A positive test indicates the presence of the bacteria, but only a veterinarian can interpret the results and explain their significance based on the specific test conducted. The final diagnosis will take into account the bird’s history, clinical signs, and the results of the tests performed.
TREATMENT
If chlamydophilia is confirmed or strongly suspected, treatment will be recommended. The chances of success will be increased if treatment is started early. The best treatment currently recognized is an intramuscular injection of antibiotic (doxycycline) every 7 days for 7 weeks. As this treatment can cause side effects, it is best to do it under veterinary supervision. Other treatment methods are also discussed in the literature but seem less effective. Throughout the treatment period, the owner must:
- Clean with an effective disinfectant anything that has been in contact with the bird. Anything that cannot be disinfected (e.g. fabric) should be thrown away.
- Use gloves and ideally a mask to clean up the feces and any debris, while avoiding spreading dust from feathers and feces (these are contagious). Isolate the infected bird and ensure that any birds it may have been in contact with do not have symptoms. If they do, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Minimize environmental stress.
- Avoid any calcium supplements during the entire treatment as they interfere with this specific medication.
- Avoid having this bird come into contact with children, the elderly or anyone who is sick or immunocompromised, as this is a zoonosis (see below).
- Follow any other treatment recommended by your veterinarian.
ZOONOSIS
Chlamydophilia is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from birds to humans. If someone has been in close contact with an infected bird or its environment and later develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, fatigue, or headaches, they should seek medical attention promptly. While the disease tends to be less severe in humans than in birds, it should still be taken seriously. It's important to note that Chlamydophilia (formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci) is not the same bacterium responsible for genital chlamydia in humans.
PREVENTION
Prevention is better than cure is a proverb that applies very well here doesn't it? Here are some steps to do this:
- When you buy a new bird, an examination and a chlamydophilia test should be done as soon as possible.
- Buy a bird from a reputable breeder or from a place that gives you a guarantee on the health of the animal.
- Quarantine any new bird for a period of about 2 months. The ideal is to wash your hands before and after seeing your bird, and to put a shirt or a lab coat over your clothes to avoid contagion.
- Maintain strict hygiene measures, especially when you have several birds in the same environment. For example, you should thoroughly clean and then disinfect any surfaces that may be contaminated. Fortunately, this bacteria is susceptible to several disinfectants. The following are effective: 1:1000 dilution of quaternary ammonium, 70% isopropyl alcohol, 1% Lysol, 1:100 dilution of bleach. At Anima-Plus Veterinary Hospitals, we use and recommend Oxyfresh (available from us): this product is an effective disinfectant and above all safe for you and your birds. Many of these disinfectants are irritating to the respiratory system and should therefore be used in a well-ventilated area. It is recommended to have your bird retested if it has direct or indirect contact with a bird whose Chlamydophila status is unknown. Otherwise, there is no need to retest a bird later in its life.