[Ornithosis].

BACKGROUND

Ornithosis (a.k.a. psittacosis) is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci, which primarily infects birds but can sporadically infect humans.

CASE PRESENTATION: A man in his thirties was admitted to the Emergency Department with a suspected respiratory infection after developing high fever, dyspnoea and a dry cough. Four days of treatment with phenoxymethylpenicillin had no effect. On admission he was tachycardic (120/min) and tachypneic (43/min), with a fever (40.1 °C) and reduced oxygen saturation (SpO2 93 %). Chest X-ray showed consolidations of the right middle and lower lobes. CRP was 422 mg/L and SR was 88 mm. The patient received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. After a brief initial deterioration, he improved rapidly. A thorough medical history on admission revealed that the patient kept parrots as pets. Sputum tests confirmed the presence of Chlamydia psittaci.

INTERPRETATION: Ornithosis usually presents primarily with respiratory symptoms in humans. People who have regular contact with birds are considered at risk.