title: Brainstem encephalitis caused by Coxiella burnetii.
abstract: Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, which rarely causes neurologic symptoms. We describe a patient who presented with progressive sensory changes, dizziness, and motor weakness. The cerebrospinal fluid revealed pleocytosis, and MRI indicated the presence of a diffuse brain stem lesion. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed antibodies against C. burnetii. The symptoms improved with antibiotics against C. burnetii. Q fever should be considered as a possible etiology of brainstem encephalitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Soon-Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Keun-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young Su
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Kun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: stemcell.snu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D016997:Coxiella burnetii; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011778:Q Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Brainstem encephalitis; Coxiella burnetii; Q fever