J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Apr;51(4):611-615. 10.3341/jkos.2010.51.4.611.

A Case of Keratoconjunctivitis Caused by Chlamydophila Psittaci

• Choi YJ
• Jun RM

• KMID: 2213407
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2010.51.4.611

Abstract

PURPOSE
Only a few cases of keratoconjunctivitis caused by Chlamydophila psittaci have been reported worldwide, and no case reported in Korea. We report an atypical case of keratoconjunctivitis caused by Chlamydophila psittaci.
CASE SUMMARY
A 34-year-old male patient who had raised a parrot at home presented with three weeks of conjunctival injection and a week of ocular pain in his left eye. There were papillae on the left upper and lower tarsal conjunctiva and punctuate epithelial erosion of the entire cornea. He also complained of dizziness, fever, and dyspnea. Upon chest X-ray, consolidation on the right middle lobe was apparent. The Chlamydophila IgM antibody test was positive, and the pneumonia improved quickly. Nevertheless, signs of keratoconjunctivitis persisted despite 3-week treatment with oral doxycycline. As a result, the patient received an additional 10-day treatment with oral azithromycin. Four weeks after the first visit, symptoms were improving gradually, and, after six weeks, no signs of keratoconjunctivitis remained except minimal erosion.
CONCLUSIONS
When patients show keratoconjunctivitis after contact with a bird, prolonged ketatoconjunctivitis by Chlamydophila psittaci should be considered.

Keyword

Birds; Chlamydophila psittaci; Keratoconjunctivitis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Azithromycin
Birds
Chlamydophila
Chlamydophila psittaci
Conjunctiva
Cornea
Dizziness
Doxycycline
Dyspnea
Eye
Fever
Humans
Immunoglobulin M
Keratoconjunctivitis
Korea
Male
Parrots
Pneumonia
Thorax
Azithromycin
Doxycycline
Immunoglobulin M

Figure

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  Figure 1. Anterior segment photographs at the first ophthalmic examination show punctuate epithelial erosion (A), papillae on upper tarsal conjunctiva (B) and lower tarsal conjunctiva (C).

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  Figure 2. (A) Chest radiograph shows consolidation with reticular opacity in right lower lung zone(arrow), which suggests atelectasis or pneumonia in right middle lobe. (B) After 1 week of treatment, the consolidation was disappeared.

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  Figure 3. Anterior segment photographs after two weeks of treatment show decreased punctate epithelial erosion (A) and papillae (B).

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  Figure 4. Anterior segment photograph after 6 weeks of treatment shows minimal punctate epithelial erosion.

Reference

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