Antimicrobial therapies for Q fever.
Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii and has both acute and chronic forms. The acute disease is a febrile illness often with headache and myalgia that can be self-limiting, whereas the chronic disease typically presents as endocarditis and can be life threatening. The normal therapy for the acute disease is a 2 week course of doxycycline, whereas chronic disease requires 18-24 months of doxycycline in combination with hydroxychloroquine. Alternative treatments are used for pregnant women, young children and those who cannot tolerate doxycycline. Doxycycline resistance is rare, but has been reported. Co-trimoxazole is a currently recommended alternative treatment, but quinolones, rifampin and newer macrolides may also provide some benefit.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop G13, 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA +1 404 639 1028 +1 404 718 2116 gkersh@cdc.gov.
Gilbert J
GJ
Kersh
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016997:Coxiella burnetii; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D004318:Doxycycline