Q fever as a cause of fever of unknown origin and thrombocytosis: first molecular evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Brazil.
We report a case of Q fever in a man who presented with fever of 40 days duration associated with thrombocytosis. Serological and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction) confirmed infection with Coxiella burnetii. A field study was conducted by collecting blood samples from the patient's family and from the animals in the patient's house. The patient's wife and 2 of 13 dogs showed seroreactivity. Our data indicate that C. burnetii may be an underrecognized cause of fever in Brazil and emphasize the need for clinicians to consider Q fever in patients with a febrile illness, particularly those with a history of animal contact.
Lemos
Elba R S
ER
Laboratory of Hantaviroses and Rickettsioses, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. elemos@ioc.fiocruz.br
Rozental
Tatiana
T
Mares-Guia
Maria Angélica M
MA
Almeida
Daniele N P
DN
Moreira
Namir
N
Silva
Raphael G
RG
Barreira
Jairo D
JD
Lamas
Cristiane C
CC
Favacho
Alexsandra R
AR
Damasco
Paulo V
PV
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001938:Brazil; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011778:Q Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000382:microbiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial