Serological diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis

From acute Q fever to endocarditis: serological follow-up strategy.

The serological evolution from acute Q fever to endocarditis is reported for 22 patients, with a median lag time of 3 months. From this data, we propose a follow-up strategy of serological testing at the third and sixth months after acute Q fever to obtain an early diagnosis of chronic infection.

Serological differentiation between acute (late control) and endocarditis Q fever.

AIMS To differentiate the serological profiles of chronic (endocarditis) Q fever from the late follow up of acute cases. METHODS Twenty patients (10 diagnosed with acute and 10 with endocarditis Q fever) were studied. Those diagnosed with acute infection were followed up from 2.5 to 88 months (mean 35.8 months). Serological variables included indirect immunofluorescence against phase I and II...

Chronic Q fever endocarditis.

Eight patients with chronic Q fever endocarditis were treated with tetracycline for up to 40 months. In addition, five of these patients received co-trimoxazole. Six patients had prosthetic valves. Two patients who had Q fever endocarditis on their native valves required valve replacement because of haemodynamic difficulties: in only one did the Q fever endocarditis contribute to the haemodynam...

Chronic Q fever endocarditis.

Q fever tricuspid valve endocarditis.

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. The most frequent clinical expression of the chronic form is a bacterial culture negative aortic or mitral endocarditis. A case of tricuspid valve endocarditis due to C burnetii is described, with a favourable outcome after treatment with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine.