Psittacosis
Psittacosis is an infectious disease occurring primarily in birds that is transmissible
to man. Transmission generally occurs when the dried fecal droppings or eye and nostril
secretions of infected birds are aerosolized and inhaled by a susceptible host in an
enclosed space. Symptoms of infection occur 4 to 15 days following exposure and may be
mild, moderate or severe. The most common symptoms include fever, pneumonia, cough,
headache, fatigue, chills, myalgia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea and diaphoresis.
The dominant symptoms at the height of infection are severe headache, myalgia,
non-productive cough, abdominal distention and tenderness and restlessness and insomnia.
Fatalities are usually restricted to the elderly and result from pulmonary insufficiency
and toxemia. Human transmission has been reported and has resulted in clinical symptoms
more severe than psittacosis acquired from birds.
Over 130 species of birds are known carriers of Chlamydia psittaci, the etiological agent
of psittacosis. Parrots and parakeets are considered the major reservoir for C. psittaci
although human infection has been linked to pigeons, sparrows, canaries, cockatiels, ducks
and turkeys. Owners of pet birds comprise roughly one half of all cases.
Air sampling for Chlamydia psittaci should only be conducted when a route of exposure is
suspected. Typical sampling techniques for sampling bacteria, such as viable impactor
samplers, cannot be used to collect air samples. C. psittaci, will not grow on standard
prepared culture media, but must be cultured in live cells. The most convenient method for
collecting air samples for Chlamydia psittaci is with a 0.45um membrane filter. Two 37mm
cassette samples should be collected at each sampling location. The flow rate should be
2.0L per minute for at least 30 minutes. Contact your laboratory for specific details
prior to conducting this type of sampling.
(Reference Article: ASTM STP 1071, "The CHLAMYDIAE: Infectious Aerosols in Indoor
Environments," Biological Contaminants In Indoor Environments, Page 99)
Written by:
Erik Bolin
Aerotech Laboratories
Microbial Fact #1: Septicemia is a general expression for microbial infection of the blood
and blood vessels. In previous generations, this condition was known as blood poisoning. A
common cause of Streptococcal septicemia is the Gram-positive streptococcus named
Streptococcus pyogenes. Septicemia may also be caused by a number of Gram-negative rods
that release endotoxins.
Fungal Fact #1: Histoplasma capsulatum has been associated with chicken coops and
demolition work (CDC, 1995a). |