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[Q fever: not just in sheep].
H Stevens1, M P Beeres, J G Meijer
1Ziekenhuis Eemland, Amersfoort.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|August 5, 2000
Summary
Four travelers contracted acute Q fever, a bacterial zoonosis, after a farm vacation. Prompt diagnosis and antibiotic treatment led to full recovery for all patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Public Health
Background:
- Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii.
- Exposure often occurs through contact with infected livestock, particularly during birth events.
Observation:
- Four individuals presented with high fever, headache, chest pain, and cough post-farm vacation.
- Clinical findings included atypical pneumonia in three patients and one case of dural venous sinus thrombosis with hepatitis.
- Serological tests confirmed acute Q fever in all affected individuals.
Findings:
- All patients had recent exposure to lambing and sheep-shearing activities.
- Antibiotic therapy was administered to patients with pneumonia.
- Complete recovery was observed in all four cases.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the risk of Q fever transmission in recreational settings.
- Awareness of zoonotic risks associated with animal contact is crucial for travelers.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential for favorable outcomes in Q fever patients.