Two Cases of Q Fever Endocarditis.
- Author:
Soo Youn MOON
1
;
Yong Sill CHOI
;
Mi Yeoun PARK
;
Jung A LEE
;
Mi Kyung CHUNG
;
Hye Suk CHUNG
;
Doo Ryoun JUNG
;
Jae Hoon SONG
;
Kyong Ran PECK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Q fever; Coxiella burnetii; Infective endocarditis
- MeSH: Chronic Disease; Coxiella burnetii; Diagnosis, Differential; Endocarditis; Fever; Heart; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Korea; Porphyrins; Pregnancy; Q Fever; Risk Factors
- From: Infection and Chemotherapy 2009;41(3):199-204
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, presenting as acute and chronic illness and it has been reported worldwide. Acute Q fever is usually asymptomatic or mild and self-limiting, but infective endocarditis is one of the most serious complications of chronic Q fever and can be fatal. Known risk factors for Q fever endocarditis are valvular heart disease, immunocompromised hosts, and pregnancy. There have been some reports on Q fever in Korea but there exists no report on Q fever endocarditis. We have experienced 2 cases of Q fever with underlying valvular heart disease; both patients came to the hospital for evaluation of prolonged fever. Although Q fever and Q fever endocarditis are rare in Korea, Q fever endocarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patient with infective endocarditis when causative microorganism cannot be identified.
