Pregnancy complicated by psittacosis acquired from sheep

Zoonotic potential of Chlamydophila

The purpose of this article is to present the diseases induced in humans and animals by the different species of Chlamydophila, after providing an overview on the history of these infectious agents and their taxonomy. The route of transmission and the available methods for prevention and control in the different animal species are reviewed.

Acute placentitis and spontaneous abortion caused by chlamydia psittaci of sheep origin: a histological and ultrastructural study

A sheep farmer's wife who had been assisting with lambing developed an influenza like illness in the 28th week of pregnancy. After five days of malaise she spontaneously delivered a stillborn infant; she became acutely ill during the immediate postpartum period with septicaemic shock, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The diagnosis was made by isolation and identification of Chlamydia psittaci from the placenta, fetal heart blood, and fetal lung, together with maternal serological evidence. The prominent histological and ultrastructural appearances of the chlamydial placentitis are described.