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| Disease found: | Q Fever |
| Current as of: | Mon Sep 16 2024 |
| Disease Overview: | Bacterial infection with Coxiella burnetii, hosted mainly by cattle, sheep and goats; contracted by inhaling contaminated air or eating/drinking contaminated food. [more info] |
| Signs and Symptoms: | Rapid onset high fever (up to 104-105), headache, fatigue, muscle pain, confusion, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. May include hepatitis and/or pneumonia. [more info] |
| Diagnosis: | Serology antibody tests (commonly indirect immunofluorescence assay) and/or PCR can establish diagnosis. Cell culture is possible but not recommended; requires BSL3 lab. [more info] |
| Treatment: | Mild cases may self-resolve but all patients with detected Q fever should receive antibiotics regardless of symptoms. Doxycycline for 2 weeks is standard therapy. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an alternative in doxycycline allergy. Hydroxychloroquine may be added if patient does not respond to antibiotics. [more info] |
| Clinical Management: | Patients with pre-existing valvular disease or who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of chronic Q fever that can include life-threatening endocarditis; requires months of antibiotics, typically doxycycline + hydroxychloroquine; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, and rifampin are second-line options. Treatment in pregnancy is complicated; use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is recommended. [more info] |
| Referral: | Consult to Infectious Disease is generally recommended. Referral to Medical Genetics Department, if available. TeleRare Health for virtual care and consults is also recommended. |
| Clinical Trials: | Currently no trials recruiting. Recent trials seeking to develop a Q fever vaccine have occurred. |