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Psittacosis risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [3]

Overview

Bird owners, pet shop employees, persons who work in poultry processing plants, and veterinarians are at increased risk for contracting psittacosis. Typical birds involved are parrots, parakeets, and budgerigars. Other animals documented with C. psittaci infection include horses, cattle, and koalas.

Risk Factors

Psittacosis is acquired from birds, so people working with poultry are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Other risk factors include:[1][2][3]

  • Being a pet shop owner
  • Handling of sick birds
  • Getting a bird bite
  • Visiting a bird park
  • Contact of beak to mouth

References

  1. Weigler BJ, Girjes AA, White NA, Kunst ND, Carrick FN, Lavin MF (1988). “Aspects of the epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci infection in a population of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in southeastern Queensland, Australia”. J Wildl Dis. 24 (2): 282–91. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-24.2.282. PMID 3373633.
  2. Milton SH, Craddock GN (1970). “Failure of capsulotomy to reduce deaths from renal ischaemia”. Br J Surg. 57 (5): 392. PMID 4913592.
  3. Silva-Zacarias, Francielle Gibson da; Alfieri, Amauri Alcindo; Spohr, Kledir Anderson Hofstaetter; Lima, Bruna Azevedo de Carvalho; Negrão, Fábio Juliano; Lunardi, Michele; Freitas, Julio Cesar de (2009). “Validation of a PCR Assay for Chlamydophila abortus rRNA gene detection in a murine model”. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology. 52 (spe): 99–106. doi:10.1590/S1516-89132009000700014. ISSN 1516-8913.

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