Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci infections in a human population in contact with domestic and companion birds

Abstract

Chlamydophila psittaci infections in humans are underestimated. We investigated the occurrence of C. psittaci in a Belgian population of 540 individuals. Data were from a population survey (n=2524) of apparently healthy community-dwelling subjects aged 35–55 years. Pharyngeal swabs and blood were taken. Individuals completed a questionnaire on professional and nonprofessional activities, smoking habits, medical history and contact frequency with different bird species. Swabs were analysed by a C. psittaci-specific and a Chlamydophila pneumoniae-specific PCR. Sera were tested by a recombinant C. psittaci major outer-membrane protein-based ELISA, a C. psittaci whole organism-based ELISA (Serion) and a micro-immunofluorescence test (Focus Diagnostics). Results confirmed our suspicion about the underestimation of psittacosis in Belgium. Psittaciformes and racing pigeons were the main infection source. Women with excessive alcohol intake defined as a mean intake of >2 units daily were more frequently infected than men. We analysed the effect of seropositivity and/or PCR positivity on inflammation (white blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen). In general, seropositivity showed a trend to slightly higher levels of inflammatory variables (all non-significant), whilst PCR positivity showed a trend to no effect or even lower inflammatory levels.