title: [Q fever pericarditis].
abstract: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii--an obligate, gram negative, intracellular bacteria. The term Q (Query) was first used because at the time the disease was named its etiology was unknown. Q fever is divided into acute and chronic infections characterized by different evolution, serological profiles and treatment. Pericarditis, as a manifestation of Q fever is rare and difficult to diagnose. This is due to the following: firstly, the clinical presentation of acute Q fever is pleomorphic, nonspecific and self limited, and secondly, the diagnosis relies on the physician's interest and the presence of a reliable diagnostic laboratory. The objective of that review is to increase the physician's awareness of the clinical presentation of Q fever, to discuss the importance of the diagnosis and laboratory tests and to guide the physician as to when to provide treatment and the relevant patient population to be treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine C, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edelstein
authors.forename: Yeuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Edoute
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011778:Q Fever / Q000503:physiopathology*