Q fever as a cause of fever of unknown origin and thrombocytosis: first molecular evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Brazil

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 Jan;11(1):85-7. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0261. Epub 2010 Jun 23.

Abstract

We report a case of Q fever in a man who presented with fever of 40 days duration associated with thrombocytosis. Serological and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction) confirmed infection with Coxiella burnetii. A field study was conducted by collecting blood samples from the patient's family and from the animals in the patient's house. The patient's wife and 2 of 13 dogs showed seroreactivity. Our data indicate that C. burnetii may be an underrecognized cause of fever in Brazil and emphasize the need for clinicians to consider Q fever in patients with a febrile illness, particularly those with a history of animal contact.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Brazil
  • Coxiella burnetii / genetics*
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Q Fever / blood
  • Q Fever / diagnosis*
  • Thrombocytosis / microbiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • DNA, Bacterial