Q fever with clinical features resembling systemic lupus erythematosus.
A 23-year-old woman with prolonged fever, rash, and pericarditis associated with high titers of antinuclear, anti-Sm, and anti-RNP antibodies was suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, we also considered infectious diseases, particularly Q fever, as the C-reactive protein level was elevated and the patient reported contact with zoo animals around two weeks before the onset. The condition responded rapidly to administration of minocycline; symptoms resolved without using steroids. Thereafter, no recurrence of the illness was observed. Titer of Coxiella burnetii antibody was high and the illness was accordingly diagnosed as acute Q fever rather than SLE.
Ohguchi
Hiroto
H
Department of Rheumatology and Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi.
Hirabayashi
Yasuhiko
Y
Kodera
Takao
T
Ishii
Tomonori
T
Munakata
Yasuhiko
Y
Sasaki
Takeshi
T
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D000077731:Meropenem; D008911:Minocycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000382:microbiology; D011778:Q Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D013845:Thienamycins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077731:Meropenem; D008911:Minocycline