title: Severe human psittacosis requiring artificial ventilation: case report and review.
abstract: Severe respiratory failure is an uncommon manifestation of psittacosis. We describe a patient with psittacosis who developed severe respiratory failure and required artificial ventilation. We also review 11 cases reported in the English-language literature over the past 30 years. A history of exposure to birds was reported in 10 of 12 cases and remains the most significant risk factor. Severe hypoxemia or renal impairment was associated with a poor prognosis. Eight patients died of psittacosis or related complications of the infection. Diagnostic aspects, clinical manifestations, and management options are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eijk
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Melchers
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Galama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D001717:Birds; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents