Q fever in children in Greece.
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of Q fever among hospitalized children in Greece. During a two-year period, 1,200 children with various clinical manifestations were prospectively tested for Coxiella burnetii infection by indirect immunofluorescence. Acute Q fever was diagnosed in eight (0.67%) patients. No chronic case of infection was detected. Multivariate analysis showed that children 11-14 years old and children reporting consumption of cheese from rural areas were at increased risk for this illness. Clinical manifestations of acute Q fever were pneumonia (two patients), meningitis (two), prolonged fever (two), hepatitis (one), and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (one). Q fever accounted for 2.9% of the cases with prolonged fever, 1.2% of the cases of meningitis, and 0.5% of the cases of pneumonia. Fever and headache were the most common symptoms at presentation. Our study indicates that Q fever is a rare cause of hospitalization during childhood.
Maltezou
Helen C
HC
University of Athens Second Department of Pediatrics, P. and A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. helen-maltezou@ath.forthnet.gr
Constantopoulou
Ioanna
I
Kallergi
Constantina
C
Vlahou
Vasiliki
V
Georgakopoulos
Dimitris
D
Kafetzis
Dimitris A
DA
Raoult
Didier
D
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011778:Q Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons