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Q fever endocarditis; not always expected

  1. Y. Wiener-Well1,
  2. D. Fink2,
  3. Y. Schlesinger1,
  4. D. Raveh1,
  5. B. Rudensky3,
  6. A. M. Yinnon1

Article first published online: 9 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02805.x

Issue

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Volume 16, Issue 4, pages 359–362, April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wiener-Well, Y., Fink, D., Schlesinger, Y., Raveh, D., Rudensky, B. and Yinnon, A. M. (2010), Q fever endocarditis; not always expected. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 16: 359–362. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02805.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     Infectious Disease Unit

  2. 2

     Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery

  3. 3

     Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, affiliated with the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel

*Corresponding author and reprint requests: Y. Wiener-Well, Infectious Disease Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, PO Box 3235, Jerusalem 91301, Israel E-mail: yonitw@zahav.net.il

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 MAR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 9 JUN 2009
  3. Original Submission: 9 August 2008; Revised Submission: 5 October 2008; Accepted: 20 October 2008 Editor: D. Raoult Article published online: 9 June 2009

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Keywords:

  • Coxiella burnetii;
  • endocarditis;
  • Q fever;
  • serology;
  • silent

Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 359–362

Abstract

Q fever endocarditis is a chronic disease with protean manifestations. The clinical and serological manifestations of nine patients diagnosed as having Q fever endocarditis during a 19-year period are reviewed. Four patients (44%) required valve replacement due to congestive heart failure. Three of these four patients were diagnosed as having Q fever endocarditis only after elective valve surgery, by histopathological examination of the valve and subsequent serological tests. Prior to surgery they were afebrile and had no other symptom or sign indicative of endocarditis. The antibiotic treatment and the decreasing titres of Q fever antibodies of all nine patients during several years of follow-up are summarized. Careful assessment of heart valves for histopathological evidence of inflammation is suggested, even after elective replacement. If found, clinical and laboratory evaluation should include determination of anti-Coxiella burnetti antibodies.

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