chlortetracycline and Zoonoses

Avian chlamydiosis remains to be an important, in birds widely spread zoonosis. In the past 15 years in the Federal Republic of Germany 6133 cases in birds or aviaries officially were recorded, 88% in aviaries consisting of psittacines, 9% in pigeons and 3% in other bird species. Among all bird species psittacines are of greatest importance for human health. Therefore, public health control measures must concentrate on these species. For this purpose the longterm-treatment with tetracyclines in feed or by intramuscular injection has proved effective since chlamydial agents perfectly can be eliminated. But control of psittacosis by medication in the hands of laymen is problematical. Effectivity of medication depends on proper and careful performance. Therefore, if treatment is necessary due to state regulations, strict surveillance, including measuring of antibiotic levels in blood, by experienced veterinary public health personnel is mandatory.

Topics: Animals; Bird Diseases; Birds; Chlortetracycline; Germany, West; Humans; Psittacosis; Species Specificity; Zoonoses

Psittacosis was diagnosed in 13 (24%) of 55 pet bird submissions in the first 3 months of 1983, compared with 18 (17%) of 103 in 1982, 4 (4.6%) of 87 in 1981, and 3 (8%) of 36 in 1980. The numbers and types of birds in which psittacosis was diagnosed were 2 of 47 budgerigars, 8 of 45 cockatiels , 3 of 11 small parrots ( lovebirds , conures ), 20 of 116 medium-sized parrots (African Grays, Amazons ), 2 of 21 macaws , and 3 of 21 cockatoos . Thirty-nine percent of psittacosis-positive birds were received from pet bird owners, compared with 21% from pet shops, 18% from pet bird breeders and fanciers, and 13% from pet bird jobbers and retailers . Most frequently observed clinical signs were anorexia, weight loss, and diarrhea or yellowish droppings. Major gross lesions were splenohepatomegaly (77%), followed by enteritis (53%), sinusitis (47%), airsacculitis (37%), pneumonitis (23%), and pericarditis (10%). Regarding the 38 cases of confirmed psittacosis in pet birds since 1980, transmission of the disease to human beings was confirmed in 2 cases and suspected in 4 cases.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Bird Diseases; Chlamydophila psittaci; Chlortetracycline; Humans; Male; Ohio; Psittaciformes; Psittacosis; Stress, Physiological; Zoonoses

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chlortetracycline; Communicable Disease Control; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Listeriosis; Oxytetracycline; Penicillins; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Sulfonamides; Tetracycline; Zoonoses

Topics: Animals; Chloramphenicol; Chlortetracycline; Germany; Germany, West; Humans; Serologic Tests; Streptomycin; Tularemia; Zoonoses