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Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants
Published on: May 13, 2015
Coxiella burnetii: an unusual ENT pathogen
Georgios Pappas1, Christos Giannoutsos, Leonidas Christou
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece. gpele@otenet.gr
Abstract:
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a prevalent zoonotic disease manifestating usually as atypical pneumonia or hepatitis. We describe 2 cases of serologically proven infection by Coxiella burnetii whose primary manifestations arose from the upper respiratory tract and were initially referred to the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department. This is the first related report in medical literature. A 20-year-old woman with fever, bilateral tonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, and mild aminotransferase elevation, and a 30-year old man with spiking fever and laryngitis are presented. Diagnosis in both cases was achieved through evolving serological response to Coxiella burnetii. The importance of including the pathogen in the differential diagnosis of ENT patients, in assorted epidemiological settings, and the significance of the proper antibiotic selection are further discussed.
Insights
Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever, often pneumonia or hepatitis. This report details two unique cases where upper respiratory symptoms, like tonsillitis and laryngitis, were the primary Q fever manifestations, requiring ENT referral.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease.
- Q fever typically presents as atypical pneumonia or hepatitis.
- Zoonotic diseases necessitate understanding diverse clinical presentations.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with primary upper respiratory tract symptoms initially managed by Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists.
- Case 1: A 20-year-old woman with fever, bilateral tonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, and mild hepatitis.
- Case 2: A 30-year-old man with spiking fever and laryngitis.
Findings:
- Serological testing confirmed Coxiella burnetii infection in both patients.
- The study highlights unusual ENT manifestations of Q fever.
- This represents the first reported series of Q fever presenting primarily in the upper respiratory tract.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider Coxiella burnetii in the differential diagnosis for ENT patients, especially in relevant epidemiological contexts.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- Appropriate antibiotic selection is vital for treating Coxiella burnetii infections.
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