Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with severe community-acquired pneumonia infected by <i>Chlamydia psittaci</i>

This study explores the clinical features of psittacosis pneumonia and identifies key factors that may predict the severity of the disease. By analyzing data from 24 patients diagnosed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), the research uncovers important differences between severe and non-severe cases. The study finds that patients with severe psittacosis pneumonia have elevated levels of white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), as well as a higher detection rate of fungi. Notably, the NLR emerges as a strong predictor of severe disease, suggesting its potential as an early diagnostic tool. These findings provide valuable insights that can help healthcare providers identify high-risk patients more quickly, allowing for timely interventions and improved management of the disease. Ultimately, this research could lead to better outcomes by guiding treatment decisions and enhancing our understanding of psittacosis pneumonia.