**17.** *Chlamydia psittaci* **and psittacose**

**Clinic:** *Chlamydia psittaci* is the causative agent of psittacosis. It is transmitted by contact with birds and by breathing. Human-to-human transmission is rare. It can survive for months at room temperature. Therefore, environmental cleanliness is important [33]. It can be asymptomatic and pulmonary involvement is seen in humans. It can cause sepsis with severe pneumonia and high mortality. It is accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches [34]. In birds, liver, kidney, and pericardium involvement is typical [33].

**Laboratory diagnosis:** For the isolation of *Chlamydia psittaci* in culture, blood, sputum, and lung tissue samples are suitable. Clinical specimens can be produced by inoculating tissue culture cells, embryonated eggs, and mice. They can be identified by examining them under a microscope. Culture can be dangerous. Molecular and serological tests may be preferred. Antigen detection by DFA or immunoassay (MIF) methods is common and PCR tests are used [11, 34].

**Treatment:** Since the laboratory diagnosis of *Chlamydia psittaci* infection is difficult, it is usually treated with clinical findings. According to several clinical studies, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin (doxycycline in adults) treat most *C. psittaci* infections. Clinical improvement is achieved [11, 33].
