title: Managing a cluster outbreak of psittacosis in Belgium linked to a pet shop visit in The Netherlands.
abstract: In July 2013, a Belgian couple were admitted to hospital because of pneumonia. Medical history revealed contact with birds. Eleven days earlier, they had purchased a lovebird in a pet shop in The Netherlands. The bird became ill, with respiratory symptoms. The couple's daughter who accompanied them to the pet shop, reported similar symptoms, but was travelling abroad. On the suspicion of psittacosis, pharyngeal swabs from the couple were taken and sent to the Belgian reference laboratory for psittacosis. Culture and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive for the presence of Chlamydia psittaci, and ompA genotyping indicated genotype A in both patients. The patients were treated with doxycycline and the daughter started quinolone therapy; all three recovered promptly. Psittacosis is a notifiable disease in Belgium and therefore local healthcare authorities were informed. They contacted their Dutch colleagues, who visited the pet shop. Seven pooled faecal samples were taken and analysed using PCR by the Dutch national reference laboratory for notifiable animal diseases for the presence of Chlamydia psittaci. Four (57%) samples tested positive, genotyping revealed genotype A. Enquiring about exposure to pet birds is essential when patients present with pneumonia. Reporting to health authorities, even across borders, is warranted to prevent further spread.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology,Faculty of Bioscience Engineering,Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2491-618X
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DE Boeck
authors.affiliation: Flemish Agency for Care and Health,Hasselt,Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dehollogne
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology,Faculty of Bioscience Engineering,Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority,Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spierenburg
authors.affiliation: Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre,Lelystad,The Nederlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heijne
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity,Jessa Hospital,Hasselt,Belgium;Hasselt University,Hasselt,Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gyssens
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity,Jessa Hospital,Hasselt,Belgium;Hasselt University,Hasselt,Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: VAN DER Hilst
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology,Faculty of Bioscience Engineering,Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanrompay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001717:Birds; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D057805:Pets; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D015363:Quinolones; C078167:OMPA outer membrane proteins; D004318:Doxycycline
keywords: Chlamydia psittaci; outbreak; psittacosis; zoonoses