Increased recognition of Q fever aortitis as a chronic manifestation of Q fever in tropical North Queensland, Australia.
Cody PriceSimon SmithJames StewartTom PalesyMatthew CorbittCharith GalappaththyJosh HansonPublished in: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (2023)
Aortitis is a life-threatening, manifestation of chronic Q fever. We report a series of 5 patients with Q fever aortitis who have presented to our hospital in tropical Australia since 2019. All diagnoses were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of aortic tissue. Only one had a previous diagnosis of acute Q fever, and none had classical high-risk exposures that might increase clinical suspicion for the infection. All patients underwent surgery: one died and 3 had significant complications. Q fever aortitis may be underdiagnosed; clinicians should consider testing for Coxiella burnetii in people with aortic pathology in endemic areas.
Keyphrases
- end stage renal disease
- climate change
- aortic valve
- healthcare
- minimally invasive
- chronic kidney disease
- palliative care
- aortic dissection
- emergency department
- heart failure
- left ventricular
- prognostic factors
- acute coronary syndrome
- peritoneal dialysis
- patient reported outcomes
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- atrial fibrillation
- respiratory failure
- acute care
- water quality