Abstract
A diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis was made in 7 patients, 6 with predisposing factors and 3 with occupational risk factors.
Prompt recognition of Coxiella burnettii endocarditis is required when clinical signs of endocarditis such as fever, anaemia, elevated liver transaminases, congestive cardiac failure are accompanied by negative blood cultures. Serological evidence of elevated antibody titres to Phase I and Phase II antigens of Coxiella burnettii are diagnostic.
Prolonged antimicrobial therapy combined with surgery has resulted in the marked reduction of mortality from 50 per cent to 17 per cent when Q fever endocarditis is revisited almost 20 yr later.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tobin, M. J., Cahill, N., Gearty, G. et al. Q fever endocarditis. American J. Med. 1982; 72: 396–400.
Fournier, P. E., Casalata, J. P., Habib, G. et al. Modification of the diagnostic criteria proposed by the Duke Endocarditis Service to permit improved diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis. Amer. J. Med. 1996; 100: 629–633.
Siegman-Igra, Y., Kaufman, O., Keysary, A. et al. Endocarditis in Israel and a worldwide review. Scand. J. Infect. Dis. 1997; 29: 41–49.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Boyle, B., Hone, R. Q fever endocarditis revisited. Ir. J. Med. Sc. 168, 53–54 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939583
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939583