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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023is the causative agent of psittacosis in humans, while its rapid identification is hampered due to the lack of specificity of laboratory testing methods.
BACKGROUND
is the causative agent of psittacosis in humans, while its rapid identification is hampered due to the lack of specificity of laboratory testing methods.
CASE PRESENTATION
This study reports four cases of infection after contact with a domestic parrot, all belonging to the same family. Common manifestations like fever, cough, headache, nausea, and hypodynamia appeared in the patients. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) aided the etiological diagnosis of psittacosis, revealing 58318 and 7 sequence reads corresponding to in two cases. The detected was typed as ST100001 in the Multilocus-sequence typing (MLST) system, a novel strain initially reported. Based on the results of pathogenic identification by mNGS, the four patients were individually, treated with different antibiotics, and discharged with favorable outcomes.
CONCLUSION
In diagnosing psittacosis caused by a rare agent, mNGS provides rapid etiological identification, contributing to targeted antibiotic therapy and favorable outcomes. This study also reminds clinicians to raise awareness of psittacosis when encountering family members with a fever of unknown origin.
Topics: Humans; Psittacosis; Chlamydophila psittaci; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Anti-Bacterial Agents; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
PubMed: 37799338
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1249225 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023The bacterial agent , and the resulting disease of psittacosis, is a little-known and underappreciated infectious disease by healthcare practitioners and in public... (Review)
Review
The bacterial agent , and the resulting disease of psittacosis, is a little-known and underappreciated infectious disease by healthcare practitioners and in public health in general. infections can cause significant psittacosis outbreaks, with person-to-person transmission documented in the last decade. In this publication, we review the pathogen and its disease, as well as examine the potential for genetic manipulation in this organism to create a more deadly pathogen. Recent disease surveys indicate that currently, the highest incidences of human disease exist in Australia, Germany and the UK. We recommend the universal public health reporting of and psittacosis disease and increasing the promotion of public health awareness.
PubMed: 37764973
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091165 -
Eye & Contact Lens Dec 2023This report highlights a postinfectious mucocutaneous inflammatory response involving the ocular surface and adnexa after Chlamydophila psittaci exposure.
INTRODUCTION
This report highlights a postinfectious mucocutaneous inflammatory response involving the ocular surface and adnexa after Chlamydophila psittaci exposure.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 35-year-old man presented after a prodrome of upper respiratory symptoms with rash and mucocutaneous blistering involving the ocular and oral mucosa, causing pseudomembranous conjunctivitis and corneal epithelial defects. Extensive inflammatory and infectious workup suggested recent C. psittaci infection. The patient was treated with doxycycline and supportive therapy, whereas the ocular surface was treated with lubrication and prophylactic antibiotics. In follow-up, he has retained excellent visual acuity but required scleral contact lenses to control ocular surface symptoms because of fibrotic changes of the marginal conjunctiva.
DISCUSSION
Such blistering inflammation has most commonly been described after pediatric respiratory infections because of Mycoplasma pneumoniae with additional instances related to Chlamydia pneumoniae , Epstein-Barr virus, influenza B, and other stimuli . To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of C. psittaci- induced reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME). RIME is a rare parainfectious inflammatory condition with sequelae frequently involving the periocular mucosa. Although systemic and nonocular adverse outcomes in this condition tend to be self-limited, the impact on the ocular surface may be severe, and the consequences to vision may be ongoing, especially if not treated aggressively at the outset.
Topics: Male; Humans; Child; Adult; Chlamydophila psittaci; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Eye Neoplasms; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Psittacosis; Exanthema
PubMed: 37728867
DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001042 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023Chlamydiosis is a significant disease affecting Eastern Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations, impacting individual animal welfare and fecundity and...
Chlamydiosis is a significant disease affecting Eastern Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations, impacting individual animal welfare and fecundity and therefore influencing population dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a synthetic peptide vaccine based on 4 components of the Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein (MOMP), over an 18-month period in a koala population severely impacted by chlamydiosis. Wild koalas were recruited into a vaccination or a placebo treatment group on a random allocation, then followed through a period of 18 months, with recapture at 6 monthly intervals. Vaccination did not alter clinical disease expression or chlamydial shedding from the ocular or urogenital sites. Vaccination did not stimulate a significant plasma anti-MOMP IgG response, when compared to the placebo group. There was no significant effect of vaccination on IFN-γ and IL-17A mRNA expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes when stimulated with rMOMP. We have demonstrated that a synthetic peptide vaccination against chlamydiosis is not an effective management tool in a koala population with a high prevalence of C. pecorum infection and related disease. The lack of antigenic response found in this study suggests that further research utilising a larger, full-length antigen is an avenue worth investigation if we are to consider vaccination as a part of a management strategy in diseased koala populations.
Topics: Animals; Australia; Cancer Vaccines; Membrane Proteins; Peptides; Phascolarctidae; Psittacosis; Vaccines, Subunit; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 37699951
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42296-7 -
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and... Sep 2023Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) causes parrot fever in humans. Development of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enables the identification of C. psittaci. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of psittacosis among cases with complicated or atypical pulmonary infection using metagenomic next-generation sequencing: a multi-center observational study in China.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) causes parrot fever in humans. Development of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enables the identification of C. psittaci.
METHODS
This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of parrot fever cases in China. A multi-center observational study was conducted in 44 tertiary and secondary hospitals across 14 provinces and municipalities between April 2019 and October 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 4545 patients with complicated or atypical pulmonary infection were included in the study, among which the prevalence of C. psittaci was determined to be 2.1% using mNGS. The prevalence of C. psittaci was further determined across demographic groups and types of specimens. It was significantly higher in patients with senior age (2.6% in those > 50 years), winter-spring (3.6%; particularly in December, January, and February), and southwestern (3.4%) and central and southern China (2.7%) (each P < 0.001). Moreover, the prevalence was the highest in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (2.9%), compared with sputum (1.1%) and peripheral blood specimens (0.9%). Additionally, co-infection of principal microorganisms was compared. Certain microorganisms were more likely to co-infect in parrot fever cases, such as Candida albicans in BALF (26.7%) and peripheral blood (6.3%), compared with non-parrot fever cases (19.7% and 1.3%); however, they did not significantly differ (each P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Parrot fever remains low in patients with complicated or atypical pulmonary infection. It is likely to occur in winter-spring and southwestern region in China. BALF may be the optimal specimen in the application of mNGS. Co-infection of multiple microorganisms should be further considered.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Psittacosis; Coinfection; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Candida albicans; China; Pneumonia
PubMed: 37679777
DOI: 10.1186/s12941-023-00631-w -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Aug 2023This case of psittacosis in children, is the first described in literature, in Italy. This respiratory infection can be transmitted to humans from the inhalation of...
BACKGROUND
This case of psittacosis in children, is the first described in literature, in Italy. This respiratory infection can be transmitted to humans from the inhalation of respiratory secretions, feces and plumage aerosol of infected birds (and other animals). Usually it can have an asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic course, and the onset is often flu-like, but in this case the child risked his life for a severe respiratory failure. This report is unique because in children psittacosis is rare, and always misdiagnosed, or could cause a delayed diagnosis because of lack of awareness among the paediatricians and physicians. Furthermore, psittacosis enters a differential diagnosis with SARS-COV2 infection because both diseases may determine dyspnea and atypical pneumonia, up to acute respiratory failure.
CASE PRESENTATION
This clinical case talks about a three-and-a-half-year-old male child affected by psittacosis (or ornithosis), with severe dyspnea and systemic symptoms who required oro-tracheal intubation for acute respiratory failure. The child had slept in a room at home, with some recently bought parrots affected by psittacosis. Initially the child was treated with empiric antibiotic therapy (i.v.ceftriaxone and teicoplanin), but after having isolated the DNA of the germ "Chlamydia psittaci" in both serological and through bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), he was treated with targeted antibiotic therapy: tetracyclines (doxicillin).
CONCLUSIONS
Psittacosis is an extremely contagious disease, caused by an intracellular germ, called "Chlamydia psittaci", a Gram-negative bacterium, transmitted to humans in particular by infected birds, responsible for atypical pneumonia, with acute and chronic respiratory symptoms, sometimes with multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Even if it is a rare respiratory disease among children, a good doctor must think about psittacosis as cause of respiratory symptoms (and not only flu or SARS-COV2), above all through a correct medical history, in order to provide a targeted antibiotic therapy. An interesting case of psittacosis in a child is being reported here, which has been treated successfully with doxycillin.
Topics: Animals; Male; Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Psittacosis; Chlamydophila psittaci; RNA, Viral; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Italy; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Chlamydia
PubMed: 37649055
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01497-6 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of clustered cases of psittacosis pneumonia.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of clustered cases of psittacosis pneumonia.
METHOD
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a cluster outbreak of psittacosis pneumonia. The analysis included epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and prognosis. The diagnosis was made using mNGS and nested PCR technology.
RESULT
Of the four cases, two had direct contact with diseased poultry while the other two did not. All cases presented with more than 39.5 °C fever and chills. Additionally, significant increases in C-reactive protein, ferritin, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were observed in all cases, while absolute lymphocyte count decreased. Case 2 also had increased calcitonin levels. Acute respiratory failure occurred during the treatment of case 1 and case 2, leading to tracheal intubation and ventilator-assisted ventilation. Unfortunately, case 2 passed away due to sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction, while the other cases had a positive prognosis.
CONCLUSION
mNGS facilitated the early diagnosis of psittacosis pneumonia. It is important to note that there is still a substantial risk of human-to-human transmission in psittacosis pneumonia. Absolute lymphocyte count and calcitonin levels can predict the severity and prognosis of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Psittacosis; Chlamydophila psittaci; Calcitonin; Retrospective Studies; Pneumonia; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37637462
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1214297 -
Microbiology and Immunology Nov 2023Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen found in birds and humans. Macrophages, major components of the innate immune system, can resist chlamydial infections and...
Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen found in birds and humans. Macrophages, major components of the innate immune system, can resist chlamydial infections and trigger adaptive immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of macrophages against C. psittaci infection are not well understood. This study investigated the roles and mechanisms of plasmid-encoded protein CPSIT_p7 of C. psittaci in regulating autophagy in RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that stimulation of RAW264.7 with C. psittaci plasmid protein CPSIT_p7 induced the expressions of the autophagy signaling primary regulators LC3 and Beclin1, which could also significantly induce the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt. Next, siRNA knockdown of TLR2 resulted in significant downregulation of CPSIT_p7-triggered autophagy in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 markedly reduced autophagy in CPSIT_p7-stimulated macrophages. In summary, these results indicated that TLR2 plays an essential role in the induction of autophagy through the ERK signaling pathway in CPSIT_p7-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Autophagy; Chlamydophila psittaci; Psittacosis; RAW 264.7 Cells; Signal Transduction; Toll-Like Receptor 2
PubMed: 37615441
DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13096 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Aug 2023Psittacosis can cause severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The clinical manifestations of psittacosis range from subclinical to fulminant psittacosis with...
INTRODUCTION
Psittacosis can cause severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The clinical manifestations of psittacosis range from subclinical to fulminant psittacosis with multi-organ failure. It is essential to summarize the clinical characteristic of patients with severe psittacosis accompanied by acute hypoxic respiratory failure (AHRF).
METHODS
This retrospective study included patients with severe psittacosis caused CAP accompanied by AHRF from 19 tertiary hospitals of China. We recorded the clinical data, antimicrobial therapy, respiratory support, complications, and outcomes. Chlamydia psittaci was detected on the basis of metagenomic next-generation sequencing performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. Patient outcomes were compared between the treatment methods.
RESULTS
This study included 45 patients with severe CAP and AHRF caused by psittacosis from April 2018 to May 2021. The highest incidence of these infections was between September and April. There was a history of poultry contact in 64.4% of the patients. The median PaO/FiO of the patients was 119.8 (interquartile range, 73.2 to 183.6) mmHg. Four of 45 patients (8.9%) died in the ICU, and the median ICU duration was 12 days (interquartile range, 8 to 21) days. There were no significant differences between patients treated with fluoroquinolone initially and continued after the diagnosis, fluoroquinolone initially followed by tetracycline, and fluoroquinolone combined with tetracycline.
CONCLUSION
Psittacosis caused severe CAP seems not rare, especially in the patients with the history of exposure to poultry or birds. Empirical treatment that covers atypical pathogens may benefit such patients, which fluoroquinolones might be considered as an alternative.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Psittacosis; Retrospective Studies; Pneumonia; Community-Acquired Infections; Tetracycline; Poultry; Fluoroquinolones; China; Respiratory Insufficiency
PubMed: 37580698
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08283-z -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2023is an important zoonotic pathogen. Although primarily a pathogen of birds, from which infection can spillover into humans and other mammalian hosts, the importance of...
is an important zoonotic pathogen. Although primarily a pathogen of birds, from which infection can spillover into humans and other mammalian hosts, the importance of as a cause of equine reproductive loss and the risk of infection to humans in contact with infected horses are increasingly being recognised in Australia and elsewhere. Despite the risks to both human and equine health, infection in horses is incompletely understood. This study aimed to update and summarise cases of equine psittacosis in Australia in the period 2018-2022, thus addressing a knowledge gap relating to recent cases in this country. These cases were identified from the examination of records held by state and federal veterinary authorities and from a review of published cases. A total of 31 cases were identified. Spatial and temporal trends were identified, with cases being more prevalent in winter and spring and geographically restricted to Victoria and New South Wales. The results show that cases of equine reproductive loss due to are consistent and ongoing and demonstrate the importance of routinely considering in diagnostic investigations. The need for ongoing study to better understand this important zoonotic pathogen is evident.
PubMed: 37570252
DOI: 10.3390/ani13152443