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Ornithosis - Diagnosis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
A preliminary diagnosis of the pneumonic form of ornithosis is established based on clinical and epidemiological data: a picture of atypical pneumonia (clinically, radiologically), the absence of an acute inflammatory reaction of the blood, high ESR, contact with birds, and sometimes group morbidity. The diagnosis is confirmed by the methods listed below.
- By the method of bacterioscopy of sputum smears stained according to Romanovsky-Giemsa.
- Chlamydia antigens are determined using RIF or RNIF using antibodies labeled with fluorochrome.
- Biological method - by infecting chicken embryos or indicator cells with the material being studied.
- Serological method - by means of RSK (diagnostic titer 1:16-1:32 and higher) or in paired sera taken at intervals of 10-14 days with an increase in the antibody titer by four times or more. Less frequently, RNGA is used, a diagnostic titer of 1:512 or an increase in the antibody titer in paired sera by four times or more. The diagnosis of influenza-like and typhoid-like ornithosis is established by laboratory examination of febrile patients who have had contact with birds.
Differential diagnostics
Differential diagnostics are carried out with a wide range of acute febrile diseases occurring with catarrhal-respiratory syndrome and lung damage; most often with pneumococcal pneumonia, Q fever, legionellosis.
Indications for consultation with other specialists
If changes are localized in the upper parts of the lungs, a consultation with a phthisiatrician is indicated; if there is no positive dynamics in the lungs, a consultation with a pulmonologist is indicated.
Indications for hospitalization
Hospitalization for clinical indications (high fever for more than 5 days, pneumonia that does not respond to standard therapy).
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