SEVERE HUMAN PSITTACOSIS REQUIRING ARTIFICIAL-VENTILATION - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW

Severe respiratory failure is an uncommon manifestation of psittacosis . We describe a patient with psittacosis who developed severe respirat ory failure and required artificial ventilation. We also review 11 cas es 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 rem ains the most significant risk factor, Severe hypoxemia or renal impai rment was associated with a poor prognosis, Eight patients died of psi ttacosis or related complications of the infection, Diagnostic aspects , clinical manifestations, and management options are discussed.