Q Fever

OVERVIEW

• infection caused by Coxiella burnetii

CLINICAL FEATURES

• animal encounters: sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats, birds, rodents and ticks
• occupations: farmers, laboratory workers, sheep and dairy workers and vets
• bacteria shed in birth products, faeces, milk and urine

• incubation 10-40 days
• SOB
• chest pain
• clay coloured stools
• systemic symptoms
• jaundice
• myalgias

• endocarditis
• flu-like symptoms
• hepatitis
• pneumonia -> ARDS

INVESTIGATIONS

• serological tests: IgM and IgG, complement fixation, ELISA
• blood cultures
• histology with giemsa stain

MANAGEMENT

• doxycycline
• tigecycline

COMPLICATIONS

• cirrhosis
• encephalitis
• endocarditis
• pericarditis
• myocarditis
• pulmonary fibrosis
• meningitis