Q Fever as a Cause of Acute Hepatitis Accompanying Fever.
10.4166/kjg.2011.57.3.189
- Author:
Hyun Jung LEE
1
;
Ji Hoon KIM
;
Eileen L YOON
;
Young Sun LEE
;
Jong Eun YEON
;
Kwan Soo BYUN
;
Baek Hui KIM
;
Youngjoon RYU
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University of Medical College, Seoul, Korea. kjhhepar@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Q fever;
Coxiella burnetti;
Hepatitis;
Granuloma
- MeSH:
Acute Disease;
Adult;
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use;
Coxiella burnetii/isolation & purification;
Doxycycline/therapeutic use;
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect;
Hepatitis/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Q Fever/complications/diagnosis/drug therapy;
Rifampin/therapeutic use
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2011;57(3):189-193
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by Coxiella burnetti, which has been previously regarded as an uncommon infectious disease in Korea but is sporadically reported recently. Common manifestations of acute Q fever usually present as influenza-like illness, pneumonia and occasionally hepatitis. Herein, we report 4 cases of acute Q fever as a cause of acute hepatitis and fever. All patients had fever and non-specific symptoms, and laboratory test showed acute hepatitis. Antibody surveys for many virus infections and bacterial cultures were negative. Finally, they were diagnosed acute Q fever by an indirect microimmunofluorescence test. Liver biopsy in 3 patients revealed granuloma including one with typical fibrin-ring. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms and signs with doxycycline treatment. Q fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever of unknown origin with acute hepatitis in Korea.
