Birds of a feather : an uncommon cause of pneumonia and meningoencephalitis
Ionescu, Anne-Marie Khare, Divya Kavi, Jay
Ionescu, Anne-Marie
Khare, Divya
Kavi, Jay
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Affiliation
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Nuneaton
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Publication date
2016-09-12
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Abstract
A 61-year-old man was admitted with a 1-week history of influenza-like symptoms during a period of increased influenza virus activity. He soon developed type 2 respiratory failure and became increasingly drowsy. He later suffered a convulsive episode in the intensive care unit (ICU) which self-terminated. Initial clinical findings suggested community-acquired pneumonia and meningoencephalitis. However, a detailed history revealed that he was a pet bird-keeper, which raised a suspicion of ornithosis. Chlamydia psittaci DNA was detected in sputum by PCR. He was started on appropriate antibiotics and made a full recovery. We present this uncommon cause of pneumonia as an example of the importance of accurate history-taking to ensure a correct diagnosis for optimal management.
Citation
Ionescu AM, Khare D, Kavi J. Birds of a feather: an uncommon cause of pneumonia and meningoencephalitis. BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Sep 12;2016:bcr2016216879. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216879.
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Article