Pneumopathies graves hypoxémiantes à Chlamydia psittaci

Summary Two previously healthy patients developped extensive pneumonia with severe hypoxemia. Serologic finding proved infection with Chlamydia psittaci . Psittacosis is an uncommon type of pneumonia with a usually good prognosis. However, severe form can mimick pneumococcal pneumonia, leading to fatal outcome, especially when inappropriate antibiotic therapy is performed. Contact with bird must suggest the diagnosis, and serology has to confirm psittacosis. Thus, when severe acute pneumonia occured, the first antibiotic therapy must be effective on intracellular micro-organisms, especially Chlamydia psittaci