Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

The pathologic findings in rickettsial pneumonia.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology

|September 1, 1975

Summary

This study details a fatal Q fever pneumonia case, highlighting its resemblance to bacterial pneumonia but with distinct inflammatory cell patterns. The findings emphasize the role of histiocytes in Q fever lung pathology.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Deceived but described. Legionellosis masquerading as rickettsia pneumonia.

American journal of clinical pathology·1980

Same author

The cathartic colon: pathological findings and radiological/pathological correlation.

Radiology·1975

Same author

Achondrogenesis in two sibs.

Birth defects original article series·1974

See all related articles

Area of Science:

Pathology
Infectious Diseases
Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

Q fever pneumonia, caused by Coxiella burnetii, can present with diverse clinical and pathological findings.
Distinguishing Q fever pneumonia from other forms of pneumonia is crucial for appropriate management.

Observation:

A fatal case of Q fever pneumonia was analyzed, with the causative organism identified in lung tissue.
The pneumonia clinically mimicked bacterial lobar pneumonia.
A notable absence of neutrophils and a predominance of histiocytes in the alveolar septal spaces were observed.

Findings:

Histiocytes contributed to both radiological and pathological alveolar infiltrates.
Histiocytic hyperplasia and focal necrosis were characteristic findings in the lung.
Lymph node architecture was distorted by histiocytes, and some areas showed necrosis with palisading histiocytes, resembling cat-scratch disease and tularemia.

Implications:

This case underscores the importance of considering Q fever in the differential diagnosis of atypical pneumonia.
The unique histiocytic response in Q fever pneumonia may guide diagnostic approaches.
Understanding these pathological features can aid in recognizing and managing severe Q fever infections.

Related Experiment Videos