[Infectious endocarditis caused by Q fever. Apropos of a clinical case].

Abstract

Endocarditis is a rare, but some times fatal, complication of Q fever. Its diagnosis is difficult and it is based on non-specific cardiac findings and a high title of phase I antibodies. The treatment is based on tetracyclines alone or in combination with cotrimoxazole, for long periods of time. The therapeutic efficacy is evaluated by the measurement of phase I antibodies, every three months. The relapses are frequent despite the long period of antibiotic therapy. We report what is probably the first case of Q fever prosthesis endocarditis in Portugal, as a complication following an acute episode of Q fever.

• Authors: M Almeida, P Paixão, J Ferreira, M Trabulo, V Gil, T Marques, A Silva, R Seabra-Gomes
• Journal: Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgao oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (Rev Port Cardiol) Vol. 15 Issue 11 Pg. 799-803, 772 (Nov 1996) ISSN: 0870-2551 [Print] Portugal
• Vernacular Title: Endocardite infecciosa a febre Q. A propósito de um caso clínico.
• PMID: 9019144 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Bacterial (blood)
• Coxiella burnetii (immunology)
• Endocarditis, Bacterial (complications)
• Female
• Heart Valve Prosthesis
• Humans
• Mitral Valve
• Q Fever (complications, immunology)