Chlamydophila Psittaci as an Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen of Global Significance

Emerging zoonotic diseases have received greater attention at national and international levels in recent times. The emergence of zoonosis is a complex process involving biological, ecological and social factors. In recent past, many zoonoses of multiple etiologies have emerged from different parts of the world [1]. Among this, chlamydiosis (ornithosis, parrot fever, psittacosis) is an emerging significant public health problem, as it can be life threatening in pregnant women [2-4]. Tontis et al. [5] reported the disease in goats and sheep with special reference to its zoonotic significance.The transmission of a flu-like disease from parrot to man was investigated in Paris, France during 1893 and was named as psittacosis after a Latin word Psittacus meaning parrot. In India, Pal et al. [6] are credited to report for the first time chlamydial infection in pet parrots. Later, other workers from India also confirmed this observation by describing the disease in animals including birds [7,8]. The disease can be transmitted from infected birds to humans. Handling of the plumage and tissues of infected birds can cause human infections. The infected birds may shed the organisms intermittently or sometimes continuously for weeks or months. The disease in humans has mild, non-specific flu-like symptoms. The systemic disease can be fatal if not treated. Cultural isolation, immunological and molecular techniques are employed to confirm the diagnosis of chlamydiosis. Doxycycline and tetracycline are most commonly used to treat the patients [3]. A number of preventive measures including biosecurity at avian farms, protective wears to workers are suggested to control the disease [9]. There is no commercial vaccine available to protect the humans and animals, including birds. The objective of this communication is to briefly discuss the emerging role of Chlamydophila psittaci as zoonotic pathogen of global significance.