Psittacosis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Transmission : The organism is shed in the nasal secretions and in the stool from infected birds and carriers. The organism can live for a long period of time outside the body by drying to form dust and infecting the susceptible hosts as they breathe. Oral contamination are especially significant in nest boxes. As a general rule, inhaled Chlamydia will cause severe disease, while ingested Chlamydia will tend to develop into carriers. Mouth to beak contact, handling of sick birds can cause infection.
Chlamydia psittaci gets lodged in respiratory epithelium. It then spreads to regional lymph nodes and causes secondary bacteremia. The incubation period is 5 - 21 days depending upon the immunocompetency of the individual. [1]