Chlamydia psittaci infection in birds can present as:

• A. Severe signs only
• B. Always asymptomatic
• C. Ranges from asymptomatic to severe
• D. Only respiratory signs

Answer: (C)

Chlamydia psittaci infection in birds can show a broad range of clinical signs. Some birds are asymptomatic carriers, shedding organism without obvious illness. Others develop disease that can be mild, with nonspecific signs such as lethargy, ruffled feathers, reduced appetite, or weight loss, to severe illness with respiratory distress, nasal or ocular discharge, and systemic debility. This variability occurs across species and individual birds and can be influenced by stress or co-infections. Because of this spectrum, saying the infection is always like one pattern or limited to the respiratory tract doesn’t fit reality. The best choice is the one that recognizes that presentation ranges from asymptomatic to severe, which captures the real-world variability.