Chlamydia psittaci enteric infection in an adult man: a case report
Abstract
Psittacosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci (Cps), typically manifests as respiratory symptoms following the inhalation of aerosols from infected birds. Here, we report an atypical case of psittacosis in a 62-year-old man who presented with initial symptoms of fever and severe diarrhea after consuming undercooked pigeon meat and offal. Initial diagnosis and treatment for acute gastroenteritis were ineffective. On the fourth day of symptom onset, the patient developed a mild dry cough, and pulmonary imaging showed significant changes. Subsequently, targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, stool, and blood samples was positive for Cps DNA, with ompA genotype A identified in both the patient and pigeons from the source. The patient was treated with levofloxacin and doxycycline, which alleviated clinical symptoms and improved the pulmonary imaging. This case highlights the potential of Cps to cause enteric infection and emphasizes the need to consider psittacosis in patients with fever and diarrhea, particularly with relevant epidemiological history. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for preventing severe complications and improving clinical outcomes.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Ferulic acid regulates the AKT/GSK-3β/CRMP-2 signaling pathway in a middle cerebral artery occlusion animal model
- Novel Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Parameters Quantify the Exposure–Effect Relationship of Levofloxacin against Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli
- Photochemical behavior of levofloxacin
- Correlation Between Dissolution Profiles of Salt-Form Drugs in Biorelevant Bicarbonate Buffer and Oral Drug Absorption: Importance of Dose/ Fluid Volume Ratio
- Evaluation of the synergistic potential and mechanisms of action for de novo designed cationic antimicrobial peptides
- Synthesis of [11C]levofloxacin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.