Differentiation of Acute Q Fever from Other Infections in Patients Presenting to Hospitals,the Netherlands |
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| Authors: | Stephan P. Keijmel Elmer Krijger Corine E. Delsing Tom Sprong Marrigje H. Nabuurs-Franssen Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers |
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| Affiliation: | Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (S.P. Keijmel, E. Krijger, C.P. Bleeker-Rovers); ;Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands (C.E. Delsing); ;Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen (T. Sprong, M.H. Nabuurs-Franssen) |
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| Abstract: | Differentiating acute Q fever from infections caused by other pathogens is essential. We conducted a retrospective case–control study to evaluate differences in clinical signs, symptoms, and outcomes for 82 patients with acute Q fever and 52 control patients who had pneumonia, fever and lower respiratory tract symptoms, or fever and hepatitis, but had negative serologic results for Q fever. Patients with acute Q fever were younger and had higher C-reactive protein levels but lower leukocyte counts. However, a large overlap was found. In patients with an indication for prophylaxis, chronic Q fever did not develop after patients received prophylaxis but did develop in 50% of patients who did not receive prophylaxis. Differentiating acute Q fever from other respiratory infections, fever, or hepatitis is not possible without serologic testing or PCR. If risk factors for chronic Q fever are present, prophylactic treatment is advised. |
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| Keywords: | Q fever, acute Q fever, chronic Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, bacteria, case– control study, clinical practice, hospital, prophylaxis, prophylactic treatment, the Netherlands |
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