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Psittacosis

Definition:
Psittacosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, which is spread to humans by birds, causing systemic (throughout the body) symptoms and pneumonia.

Alternative Names:
Chlamydial pneumonia; Ornithosis; Chlamydia psittaci

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Psittacosis is caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium found in the droppings of birds. It is a rare disease-- fewer than 50 cases have been reported in the U.S. in the past 5 years.

Bird owners, pet shop employees, workers in poultry processing plants, and veterinarians are at increased risk for acquiring this infection.



Review Date: 7/31/2002
Reviewed By: Christopher Parsons, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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