Q Fever Risk in Patients Treated with Chronic Antitumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Therapy

Case Rep Infect Dis. 2016:2016:4586150. doi: 10.1155/2016/4586150. Epub 2016 Aug 30.

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role in the defense against infection with this Gram-negative coccobacillus. Theoretically, patients who are treated with anti-TNF-α medications are at risk for developing chronic Q fever. We present two patients who developed Q fever while being treated with anti-TNF-α agents and discuss the significance of timely diagnosis of C. burnetii infection in these patients.