Psittacosis physical examination

Patients with psittacosis usually appear to be in significant respiratory distress. Physical examination of patients with psittacosis is usually remarkable for rose spots called Horder’s spots that can appear anywhere on the body. Splenomegaly is frequent toward the end of the first week. Diagnosis can be suspected in the case of respiratory infection associated with splenomegaly and/or epistaxis.

• Patients with psittacosis usually appear to be in significant respiratory distress.^[1]

• Fever

• Horder spots – macular rashes that resemble the rose spots of typhoid. These appear on the face.
• Erythema multiforme/erythema nodosum may be noticed^[2]

• In the case of hepatitis, jaundice may be noticed.
• Conjunctivitis is present in a few cases.^[3]

• Pharyngeal exudates (rare)

• Bradycardia/tachycardia

• Consolidation may be suspected on percussion
• Rales may be heard
• Pleural friction rub can be noticed
• Decrease in breath sounds

• Splenomegaly can be noticed by the end of first week.

• Arthritis in a few cases

• Confusion
• Seizure
• Cranial nerve palsy of cranial nerves II, IV, VI and VII