Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-24
Psittocosis Antibodies
Found to Be Numerous
Slight Infection Indicated
In Humans and Animals
By Thomas R. Henry

Antibodies to psittacosis, or parrot
fever, are widespread in the blood of
both humans and animals in the United
States.
This probably indicates that low
grade infection, as in the case nt polio
myelitis, is far more common than is
suspected and is seldom diagnosed
This is the finding Of Drs. Robert K.
Gerloff and David B. Lackman of the
Public Health Services Rocky Noun
tain Laboratory. devoted primarily to
the study and treatment of the dreaded
tick fever.
Out of nearly 1000 blood specimens
examined from the population at large,
81 showed high antibody content al
though none had ever suffered from the
disease, so far as they were aware. Out
Of 339 Serums from workers in a Utah
turkey processing plant, IA per cent
showed high antibody titers. The work
of these persons presumably would par
ticularly expose them to the disease
Seven per cent of the blood serums of
sheepherders in Idaho gave positive
responses to psittacosis antibodies.
Appeared rs Years Ago.
Parrot fever first made it's appear
ance in the United States about IS
years ago. Cases were few but the
fatality rate was high. The infection
presumably came from birds imported
from the tropics as pets. All birds were
more or less susceptible, as well as most
animals and man.
At that time, it was assumed. there
was no natural resistance to the virus.
This hopI1xy GOULD hn xryif1A,,f
widespread exposure either to psittaco-
sis itself or some similar virus infection.
Extremely few cases have been re-
ported in recent years, but public
health authorities constantly are on
the lookout for any local outbreaks
which might spread rapidly through a
city.
Despite the great advances made
throughout the world in recent years,
Washington still has a major problem
in tuberculosis control.
Its rate of TOO cases per 100000 pop
ulation is exceeded by that of only one
State, Arizona. and one city. Baltimore.
The Districts death rate. 484 per 100,-
600 in 1850, was more than twice that
for the United States as whole.
This is the conclusion of DR.. Robert
L. Smith, Public Health Service con-
sultant on tuberculosis, in the West
Virginia Medical journal, in which he
discusses the problem of white plague
control throughout the Potomac area.
The apparent excess of tuberculosis
cases in both Washington and Balti-
more, compared with the rest of the
area, may reflect to some extent better
diagnosis and reporting and the num-
Der of hospitals where victims from
other parts of the Potomac region are
being treated.
Need Is Great.
Although the District has made good
progress in providing necessary facili-
ties, DR.. Smith says. considerably more
is required before the community can
be considered adequately equipped to
combat tuberculosis. It's hospitals
have enough tuberculosis beds only
to meet minimum standard and the
need for more is imperative, he stresses
in his report. Physical plants are
becoming obsolete and at present there
is an average of between 225 and $50
on the waiting list. These cases, on
the whole, are the ones most actively
in need Of institutional care.
Waiting periods often exceed four
months. There are about 600 known
active cases outside of institutions The
problem is compounded by the non
resident situation, which is particularly
acute in the District area.
Rehabilitation programs he says, are
operating efficiently. largely through
the stimulation and financial support
of the District of Columbia Tubercu-
losis Association and the District Of
Columbia Rehabilitation Service.