Severe Chlamydia psittaci Pneumonia Complicated by Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated by rhabdomyolysis and to improve the success rate of treatment.

Patients and methods: The clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of four patients with severe C. psittaci pneumonia complicated by rhabdomyolysis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: All four patients were male, aged 46-64 years, and all had a history of bird contact. All patients had fever, fatigue, tea-colored urine, myalgia, and two patients were unable to walk. C. psittaci DNA was found by mNGS of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all four patients. Their creatine kinase was >1000 U/L, and myoglobin, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and brain natriuretic peptide were significantly increased. The McMahon score of three patients was >6 points, of whom one patient suffered from acute kidney injury; he was treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and eventually died. After diagnosis, three patients were treated with doxycycline and quinolones and were discharged after recovery.

Conclusion: Psittacosis complicated by rhabdomyolysis is characterized by fever, fatigue, myalgia, and tea-colored urine, with significant increases in creatine kinase and myoglobin. The McMahon score should be applied early to assess the risk of acute kidney injury, and renal replacement therapy and renal protection therapy should be initiated in the early stage. Among severely ill patients, early use of empirical antibiotics, including quinolones, may improve the prognosis.

Keywords: Chlamydia psittaci; metagenomic next-generation sequencing; rhabdomyolysis; severe pneumonia.

Figure 1

(A) Chest computed tomography (CT) of Case 1: consolidation in left lower lung and a small amount of pleural effusion on the left. (B) Chest CT of Case 2: large exudative consolidation foci in both lungs, mainly in the lower lobe, and a small amount of pleural effusion on both sides. (C) Chest CT of Case 3: consolidation in both lower lungs, mainly on the left and bilateral pleural effusion. (D) Chest CT of Case 4: right lung consolidation and ground-glass shadow.