title: [Symptomatic acute Q fever: a series of 87 cases in an area of Mallorca].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Q fever is a widespread zoonotic infection caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii). Acute infection varies from a self-limited flu-like illness to pneumonia or hepatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case study from March 2003 to December 2011 was conducted in the Hospital Son Llàtzer in Palma de Mallorca. Acute Q-fever was diagnosed in a patient with clinical suspicion and IgM in phase ii positive (≥ 1/40), with a positive IgG (≥1/80), or when IgG seroconversion was observed during convalescence. A total of 87 cases of acute Q fever were diagnosed. The median age was 50 years (range 21-89), and 69 (79.3%) were male. Fever and headache were the most common symptoms. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 39 (44.8%) patients, febrile episode in 21 (24.1%), and acute hepatitis in 23 (25.6%). Increased serum transaminases were observed in 19 (21.8%). Doxycycline was prescribed in 29 cases (33.4%). There were 30 (34.5%) patients lost to follow up after hospital discharge. A favorable outcome was observed in all other cases. Only one new case progressed to chronic Q fever.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 87 cases of acute Q fever were diagnosed. The median age was 50 years (range 21-89), and 69 (79.3%) were male. Fever and headache were the most common symptoms. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 39 (44.8%) patients, febrile episode in 21 (24.1%), and acute hepatitis in 23 (25.6%). Increased serum transaminases were observed in 19 (21.8%). Doxycycline was prescribed in 29 cases (33.4%). There were 30 (34.5%) patients lost to follow up after hospital discharge. A favorable outcome was observed in all other cases. Only one new case progressed to chronic Q fever.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute Q fever acute is common our environment. Pneumonia was the most common clinical presentation. Even although doxycycline was prescribed in a small number of patients, a favorable outcome was observed in all cases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España. Electronic address: manuelraya@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raya Cruz
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gállego Lezaún
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García Gasalla
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cifuentes Luna
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Teodoro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Forteza Forteza
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernández-Baca
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallegos Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Payeras Cifre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fiebre Q; Hepatitis; Monitoring; Neumonía; Pneumonia; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Q fever; Seguimiento; Tratamiento; Treatment