Q Fever

Not Verified
This information is AI generated and has not yet been reviewed by a specialist physician. AI can make mistakes

Disease overview

Bacterial infection with Coxiella burnetii, hosted mainly by cattle, sheep and goats; contracted by inhaling contaminated air or eating/drinking contaminated food.

Common symptoms

Rapid onset high fever (up to 104-105)headachefatiguemuscle painconfusionnausea/vomiting/diarrhea. May include hepatitis and/or pneumonia.

WHEN TO SUSPECT

  • Recommendation 1

    Serology antibody tests (commonly indirect immunofluorescence assay) and/or PCR can establish diagnosis. Cell culture is possible but not recommended

  • Recommendation 2

    requires BSL3 lab.

HOW TO TEST

  • Recommendation 1

    Serology antibody tests (commonly indirect immunofluorescence assay) and/or PCR can establish diagnosis. Cell culture is possible but not recommended

  • Recommendation 2

    requires BSL3 lab.

TREATMENT

  • Recommendation 1

    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.

PRIMARY CARE

  • Recommendation 1

    Patients with pre-existing valvular disease or who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of chronic Q fever that can include life-threatening endocarditis

  • Recommendation 2

    requires months of antibiotics, typically doxycycline + hydroxychloroquine

  • Recommendation 3

    trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, and rifampin are second-line options. Treatment in pregnancy is complicated

  • Recommendation 4

    use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is recommended.

FURTHER SUPPORT

  • Recommendation 1

    Consult to Infectious Disease is generally recommended. Referral to Medical Genetics Department, if available. Initial virtual care is also available through organizations like TeleRare Health.

CLINICAL TRIALS

  • Recommendation 1

    Currently no trials recruiting. Recent trials seeking to develop a Q fever vaccine have occurred.

Sources

No data available

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