What is the treatment of choice for Chlamydophilia psittaci?

The treatment of choice for Chlamydophilia psittaci, a pathogenic bacterium responsible for psittacosis in birds as well as in humans, is doxycycline. This antibiotic belongs to the tetracycline class and is particularly effective against intracellular organisms, which includes Chlamydophilia psittaci.

Doxycycline works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, thereby stopping their growth and replication. It is often preferred for this particular infection due to its excellent penetration into tissues and its long half-life, allowing for effective dosing in both acute and chronic cases of the disease.

Other antibiotics like penicillin and cephalexin are not effective against Chlamydophilia psittaci due to their mechanisms of action that primarily target different bacterial structures, such as cell walls, which Chlamydophilia lacks. Metronidazole, while effective against certain anaerobic infections and protozoal infections, is also not effective against Chlamydophilia, further reinforcing doxycycline's role as the preferred treatment.