Chlamydia psittaci. An uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia
J. T. Kirchner and S. A. Boyarsky
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Lancaster General Hospital, PA.
Chlamydia psittaci is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia.
Fewer than 200 cases of psittacosis are reported annually to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention; however, many cases are believed to be
unreported. Unrecognized cases not properly treated may result in
significant morbidity and possibly have a fatal outcome. We describe a
42-year-old man with multilobar pneumonia and respiratory compromise
secondary to infection with C psittaci. The patient also exhibited hepatic
involvement and mild anemia as a result of systemic infection. Appropriate
antibiotic therapy and respiratory support resulted in a good clinical
outcome. The diagnosis of psittacosis requires serologic verification. All
confirmed cases should be reported to local and state health departments
and may require further investigation by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
