[Q fever as a cause of acute hepatitis accompanying fever]

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2011 Mar;57(3):189-93. doi: 10.4166/2011.57.3.189.
[Article in Korean]

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by Coxiella burnetti, which has been previously regarded as an uncommon infectious disease in Korea but is sporadically reported recently. Common manifestations of acute Q fever usually present as influenza-like illness, pneumonia and occasionally hepatitis. Herein, we report 4 cases of acute Q fever as a cause of acute hepatitis and fever. All patients had fever and non-specific symptoms, and laboratory test showed acute hepatitis. Antibody surveys for many virus infections and bacterial cultures were negative. Finally, they were diagnosed acute Q fever by an indirect microimmunofluorescence test. Liver biopsy in 3 patients revealed granuloma including one with typical fibrin-ring. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms and signs with doxycycline treatment. Q fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever of unknown origin with acute hepatitis in Korea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Hepatitis / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis / etiology
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Q Fever / complications
  • Q Fever / diagnosis
  • Q Fever / drug therapy
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin