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Evaluation of clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection based on

Lei Yuan1, Qiang Chen1, Xin Yu Zhu1

  • 1Department of Clinical laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, No.17, YongWaiZhengStreet, Nanchang, 330006, China.

BMC Microbiology
|March 14, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Poultry exposure is a key indicator for diagnosing psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) pneumonia. Higher lymphocyte counts indicate a better prognosis in severe cases, while coinfections are more common in severe psittacosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Psittacosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, presents with a wide spectrum of illness, from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia and organ failure.
  • Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) aids in diagnosing Chlamydia psittaci infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate clinical characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci infection diagnosed by mNGS.
  • To identify risk factors influencing the progression of Chlamydia psittaci infection.
  • To enhance therapeutic strategies for psittacosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from patients diagnosed with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia between January 2021 and December 2021.
  • Collection of patient history, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, chest CT findings, treatment, and prognosis data.
  • Utilized mNGS for pathogenic profiling and analysis of lower respiratory tract microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Poultry exposure was reported in 35 of 46 confirmed Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia cases.
  • Severe cases showed significantly higher levels of neutrophils, PCT, LDH, HBDH, CK-MB, and D-dimer compared to non-severe cases (P < 0.05).
  • Severe pneumonia cases exhibited higher rates of bilateral lung involvement, multiple lobar pneumonia, and pleural effusions on CT scans (P < 0.05).
  • Higher lymphocyte concentrations were identified as a protective factor for survival (OR 0.836, P = 0.041).
  • Coinfections were more prevalent in severe cases (84.2%) than in non-severe cases (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Poultry exposure is a crucial diagnostic indicator for Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia.
  • Elevated inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers are associated with severe psittacosis.
  • Higher lymphocyte counts are linked to a better prognosis in severe C. psittaci pneumonia.
  • mNGS is valuable for early and comprehensive detection of coinfections in psittacosis patients.
Keywords:
Chlamydia psittaciDiagnosisLower respiratory tract microbiotaMetagenomic next-generation sequencingPneumoniaTherapeutic

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