Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in Norway 1981-87 earlier diagnosed as ornithosis.
Ornithosis has been a notifiable disease in Norway since 1957. During an outbreak of respiratory disease in 1981-82, described as ornithosis, contact with birds was stated in only 50% of the cases, suggesting that the infection was spread by interhuman transmission. A similar outbreak occurred in the western part of Norway in 1987. Serum specimens from altogether 260 patients, collected during the outbreaks in 1981-82 and in 1987, were investigated for antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae (strain TWAR). Evidence of recent infection with C. pneumoniae was found in 67.7% of the cases. The results indicate that the increased incidence of ornithosis in 1981-82 and in 1987 was due mainly to C. pneumoniae infections.
Bruu
A L
AL
National Institute of Public Health, Department of Virology, Oslo, Norway.
Haukenes
G
G
Aasen
S
S
Grayston
J T
JT
Wang
S P
SP
Klausen
O G
OG
Myrmel
H
H
Hasseltvedt
V
V
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*