How to Treat Psittacosis

Psittacosis is an infection caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacterium. It is carried by birds, especially parrots, and transmitted to humans through their feces or respiratory secretions. Tracing the source of psittacosis may be difficult because infected birds may not show symptoms. Human-to-human transmission of psittacosis is possible but rare, and it is primarily an occupation or recreational hazard for people who handle birds.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Notify the local public health department about cases of psittacosis.

2. Give doxycycline intravenously as the drug of choice or tetracycline as an effective alternative to treat severe psittacosis. Chlorampenicol also may be used, although this is rarely done in the United States because it may cause agranulocytosis. Erythromycin should be given instead for pregnant women and children younger than nine years.

3. Expect the patient to improve in two to three days. Continue antibiotics for two to three weeks to help prevent a relapse.

4. Admit patients with severe psittacosis infections to the hospital and treat with intravenous antibiotics. 100 mg doxycycline should be given once per day or twice per day if administered orally. Erythromycin oral dosage is 500 mg. Patients with acute respiratory failure from psittacosis should be transferred to an intensive care unit. Patients with relapses may need to be treated for three to four weeks.

5. Ensure empiric antibiotic therapy of psittacosis is comprehensive and covers all likely pathogens in the clinical environment.

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