It is also known as psittacosis, chlamydiosis or ornithosis. It a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria called Chlamydophila psittaci. It is contracted from parrots, sparrows, pigeons, ducks, hens and other species of bird.

 

The people who have birds as pets, poultry workers and those working in aviaries or per shops are at the most risk of getting parrot fever. Even casual contact with the infected bird can result in infection.

Symptoms of parrot fever in humans:

• High fever
• Joint pain
• Diarrhoea
• Conjunctivitis
• Epistaxis
• Leukopenia
• Rose spots called Horder’s spots.
• Splenomegaly
• Headache
• Breathlessness
• General malaise
• Dry cough
• Nasal discharge
• Meningitis
• Coma
• Pneumococcal pneumonia

Complications of parrot fever

• Endocarditis
• Hepatitis
• Myocarditis
• Arthritis
• Keratoconjunctivitis
• Neurological complications like encephalitis, meningitis
• Severe pneumonia

Diagnosis of parrot fever

• Blood tests reveal thrombocytopenia
• Moderate elevation of liver enzymes.
• X-rays show patchy infiltrates or diffuse whitening of lung fields.
• Microbiological cultures from respiratory secretions
• Serology to detect antibody titer against C.psittaci in blood.
• Presence of Leventhal-Cole-Lillie bodies are seen in macropahges in BAL fluid.

Treatment:

Antibiotics like tetracyclines, doxycycline, chloramphenicol and erythromycin can be used.

Prevention:

• Avoid handling of sick birds.
• Avoid breathing in any dust from dried bird droppings, feathers or cage dust.
• Infected birds should be treated.
• Cages should be kept clean regularly and with disinfectants.
• It is advisable to wear masks and gloves while cleaning the cages to prevent the infection.
• Sick bird should be isolated from other healthy birds.