Endocarditis due to Coxiella burnetii (Q fever): a rare or underdiagnosed disease? Case report

Q fever is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution that is caused by Coxiella burnetii. However, reports of this disease in Brazil are rare. Seroepidemiological studies have shown relatively high frequencies of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in populations with occupational exposure. In humans, i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2008-07, Vol.41 (4), p.409
Main Authors: Siciliano, Rinaldo Focaccia, Ribeiro, Henrique Barbosa, Furtado, Remo Holanda de Mendonça, Castelli, Jussara Bianchi, Sampaio, Roney Orismar, Santos, Fabiana Cristina Pereira dos, Colombo, Silvia, Grinberg, Max, Strabelli, Tânia Mara Varejão
Format: Article
Language:eng ; por
Subjects:
Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
Ciprofloxacin - therapeutic use
Coxiella burnetii - isolation & purification
Doxycycline - therapeutic use
Endocarditis, Bacterial - microbiology
Endocarditis, Bacterial - pathology
Endocarditis, Bacterial - surgery
Fatal Outcome
Humans
Male
Q Fever - diagnosis
Q Fever - drug therapy
Severity of Illness Index
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Summary:Q fever is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution that is caused by Coxiella burnetii. However, reports of this disease in Brazil are rare. Seroepidemiological studies have shown relatively high frequencies of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in populations with occupational exposure. In humans, it can be manifested clinically as acute or chronic disease. Endocarditis is the most frequent chronic form of Q fever and the form with the greatest morbidity and mortality. We report a severe case of endocarditis due to Coxiella burnetii acquired in Brazil that had a fatal outcome, despite specific antibiotic therapy and valve surgery treatment.
ISSN:0037-8682
1678-9849
DOI:10.1590/S0037-86822008000400017