title: Chlamydia psittaci in ducks: a hidden health risk for poultry workers.
abstract: Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen associated primarily with avian chlamydiosis also referred as psittacosis. Human psittacosis can lead to severe cases of respiratory disease. The mule duck is one of the main bird hybrids associated with human cases of psittacosis in France. In order to better understand the epidemiology of avian chlamydiosis, monitoring studies were performed in both breeder flocks and mule duck flocks. Surveys conducted in one professional duck bredding organization revealed little shedding in breeder flocks, whereas heavy but asymptomatic C. psittaci shedding was observed in most of the mule duck flocks, mostly when birds were reared in open range conditions on farms. Human cases of psittacosis linked to duck breeder flocks and their progeny led to detection of heavy shedders in all the suspected flocks despite no birds showing clinical signs. Offspring of one of the infected female flocks was analyzed and also proved to be infected by C. psittaci. Field studies suggest that C. psittaci infections in duck farms involve horizontal and probably vertical transmission but that the environment also plays an important role in maintaining infection on farms. In the light of the widespread occurrence of C. psittaci on duck farms, it has become urgent to clearly identify sources of contamination in order to take appropriate field management measures to minimize worker exposure.
authors: University of Paris-Est, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, F-94706 Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors: Fabien
authors: F
authors: Vorimore
authors: University of Paris-Est, ANSES, DERNS, F-94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Thébault
authors: University of Paris-Est, ANSES, DERNS, F-94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Poisson
authors: Veterinary Practice, F-85140 L'Oie, France.
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Cléva
authors: SAS Breheret, F-49510 La Poitevinière, France.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Robineau
authors: University of Bordeaux, French National Reference Centre for Chlamydial Infections, F-33076 Bordeaux, France.
authors: Bertille
authors: B
authors: de Barbeyrac
authors: University of Paris-Est, ANSES, Epidemiology Unit, F-94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors: Benoit
authors: B
authors: Durand
authors: University of Paris-Est, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, F-94706 Maisons-Alfort, France karine.laroucau@anses.fr.
authors: Karine
authors: K
authors: Laroucau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057138:Bacterial Shedding; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004372:Ducks; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: avian chlamydiosis; duck; human psittacosis; monitoring studies