Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Aims: Although only a few sporadic cases of Q fever have been reported in Korea, a total of 13 cases have been seen\nin our area. We performed this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics of these cases of acute Q fever.\nMethods: Demographic features, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiologic findings, and therapeutic outcomes of all cases\nwere evaluated. Q fever was diagnosed using an indirect micro-immunofluorescence assay (MIFA) and polymerase chain reaction\n(PCR).\nResults: A total of 13 patients with acute Q fever seen from January 2006 to August 2008 at three teaching hospitals in the Daegu\nMetropolitan City area were enrolled. The mean age was 49 years old (range, 24~76), and the male to female ratio was 11:2. Six\n(46.2%) cases had a history of animal contact. Fever (100%) was the most common manifestation, followed by myalgia (84.6%),\nheadache (61.5%), anorexia (61.5%), and chills (61.5%). All cases were diagnosed with high titers of anti-phase II antibody (IgM≥\n1:50, IgG≥1:200) and positive nested PCR for the 27-kDa OMP com-1 gene of Coxiella burnettii in the blood. In three cases, liver\nbiopsies revealed the presence of compact fibrin-ring granulomas. No characteristics of pneumonia were diagnosed on chest\nX-rays. The predominant presentation was acute febrile illness with hepatitis, including three cases (27.3%) of severe cholestatic\nhepatitis. The most frequently used antimicrobial agent was doxycycline (84.6%), followed by azithromycin (7.7%).\nConclusions: Acute Q fever may be added to the list of differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile illness and hepatitis in\nthe Daegu Metropolitan City area. (Korean J Med 79:404-411, 2010)\nKey Words: Hepatitis; Granuloma; Q-fever
Authors: 이경숙, 최영실, 권기태, 이미정, 서아영, Shinwon Lee, 한승우, 김건우, 김현수, 박창근, 손경락, Shin‐Woo Kim, 장현하, Ryu Seong Yeol
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W404208441