Clinical features and risk factors of liver injury in patients with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia- a retrospective analysis

Psittacosis in Focus: A Review Addressing the Risks and Management Challenges in Outbreak Scenarios

Background and Aim

Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease that mostly affects birds and can infect people. It causes respiratory ailments that can be minor or severe. The disease's importance to public health is shown by the fact that it has been connected to isolated outbreaks in several parts of the world. Comprehending the hazards linked to psittacosis is crucial, given that epidemics may have extensive consequences for public health, especially in environments where people and birds interact closely. Therefore, examining the risks, challenges, and methods for overcoming psittacosis infections is the primary focus of the study.

Discussion

Psittacosis' principal dangers include severe respiratory problems, which are especially dangerous for vulnerable groups. Inadequate diagnostic goods and services, public ignorance, and variances in hospital infrastructure all pose challenges to effective management. Strategies for combating psittacosis must include improved monitoring and reporting systems, better access to diagnosis and treatment, and expanded public awareness on protection. Incorporating biosecurity strategies in flocks and agricultural operations is also critical to lowering transmission risk.

Conclusion

Prioritizing psittacosis control is imperative for global health regulatory organizations to prevent future outbreaks. To promote research, allocate funds, and support public health initiatives aimed at enhancing disease management, quick action is needed. By promoting international cooperation and enhancing healthcare systems, we can effectively address the problems caused by psittacosis and better safeguard populations everywhere from this preventable disease.

Sensitivity and stability of Balb/c, C57BL/6J, and ICR mice to the acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune disease mediated by abnormal autoimmune. The pathogenesis and pathological manifestation of immune-mediated liver injury, induced by concanavalin A (ConA) in mice, closely parallel those observed in human AIH. However, the sensitivity and stability of mice to ConA vary depending on the strain and sex of the mice. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the sensitivity and stability of Balb/c, C57BL/6J, and ICR mice to ConA-induced acute liver injury. In this study, the mice in ConA group were injected with ConA (15 mg/kg·bw) via tail vein. After 8 h, the blood, liver, and spleen were collected for subsequent analysis. The liver index of Balb/c mice was increased (P < 0.05). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels of male C57BL/6J mice in ConA-treated group were the highest among the three strains of mice, followed by female Balb/c mice (P < 0.05). After ConA challenge, ICR, Balb/c, and C57BL/6J mice (both male and female) appeared markedly inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatocyte necrosis. Furthermore, hemorrhagic necrosis is more severe in females than in males. Lastly, male C57BL/6J and female Balb/c mice had the lowest coefficient of variation in serum ALT, AST, and LDH activities, while female Balb/c mice had the minimum coefficient of variation of the liver index, suggesting that they have good stability to ConA. Altogether, our study found that Balb/c female and C57BL/6J male mice have high sensitivity and good stability to ConA challenge, which were suitable for mimicking the pathology of AIH in humans.

Analysis and Perception of Chlamydia psittaci Pneumonia: Novel Insights of the Rare Disease in Infectiology

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment, and prognosis of rare Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia, and to improve the understanding of this rare disease.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis and exploration was performed for 33 cases of patients with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from January 2017 to March 2024, and the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and key points for differential diagnosis were summarized and analyzed. Meanwhile, the latest literature from PubMed was retrieved to systematically discuss the research progress in Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia were included in this study, including 21 males (63.64%) and 12 females (36.36%), with a median age of 59 (32-79) years. There were 27 cases (81.82%) of patients accompanied with a history of poultry contact, 22 patients (66.67%) had underlying diseases. In our study, patients with Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia were mainly affected in Autumn (21.21%) and Winter (54.55%). All patients had undergone bronchoscopy and obtained bronchoalverolar lavage fluid (BALF) for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) detection, and mNGS results showed that all patients (100%) were co-infected with multiple pathogens including Chlamydia psittaci. All patients were given antimicrobial therapy after diagnosis, and no treatment-related adverse reactions or adverse events were observed in our study, the average length of hospitalization was 11.09 days. Fortunately, no death was observed in our study, and patients were all discharged from hospital after recovery and in favourable physical and psychological conditions after discharge.

CONCLUSION

Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia lacks specific clinical features or manifestations and tends to develop into severe exacerbation. mNGS could help to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Early administration of antibiotics can improve the prognosis of patients to the greatest extent.