Human Psittacosis: A Case Report

Authors

  • Ana Cipriano Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Porto.
  • Ana Machado Serviço de Medicina Interna. Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Porto.
  • Fábio Videira Santos Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Porto.
  • Miguel Araujo Abreu Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Porto.
  • Rui Sarmento e Castro Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Porto.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.10079

Keywords:

Birds, Chlamydophila psittaci, Pneumonia, Bacterial, Psittacosis

Abstract

Psittacosis is a rare disease caused by Chlamydophila psittaci, an intracellular bacteria transmitted by contaminated birds. The clinical and radiological presentations are nonspecific. We describe a case of a 42-year-old woman, with known exposure to birds, who presented to the emergency department with one-week evolution of myalgia, polyarthritis, and respiratory symptoms. At admission, she had fever, respiratory failure, raised inflammatory markers and bilateral interstitial infiltrates at chest radiography. Considering the clinical findings and epidemiological background, we raised the hypothesis of a Chlamydophila psittaci atypical pneumonia that was serologically confirmed. Tetracyclines are the mainstay of treatment and the macrolides are an effective alternative. We highlight the importance of the epidemiological context in the early diagnosis and treatment of this infection.

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Published

2019-02-28

How to Cite

1.
Cipriano A, Machado A, Santos FV, Abreu MA, Sarmento e Castro R. Human Psittacosis: A Case Report. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2019 Feb. 28 [cited 2024 Nov. 12];32(2):161-4. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/10079

Issue

Section

Case Report