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[Two cases of Chlamydia psittaci infection occurring in employees of the same pet shop]

N Maegawa1, T Emoto, H Mori

  • 1Department of Respiratory Disease, Otsu Red Cross Hospital.

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi = the Journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society
|February 7, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Two pet shop workers contracted psittacosis, a bacterial infection. Prompt minocycline treatment resolved symptoms, suggesting a bird-to-human transmission linked to deceased parakeets.

Area of Science:

  • Zoonotic Diseases
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Psittacosis is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci.
  • Zoonotic transmission from birds to humans is a known route of infection.
  • Pet shops can be potential reservoirs for avian pathogens.

Observation:

  • Two male employees in a pet shop presented with fever and pneumonia.
  • Both patients exhibited mild liver dysfunction.
  • Elevated Chlamydia psittaci antibody titers were confirmed via complement fixation tests.

Findings:

  • Clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved with a two-week course of minocycline.
  • The cases occurred in individuals working in the same pet shop.
  • Deceased parakeets in the shop were noted, suggesting a potential source of infection.

Implications:

  • This case series highlights the risk of psittacosis transmission in pet shop environments.
  • Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing psittacosis.
  • Public health awareness and biosecurity measures in pet shops are essential to prevent zoonotic outbreaks.

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