Coxiella burnetii: an unusual ENT pathogen

Georgios Pappas1, Christos Giannoutsos, Leonidas Christou

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece. gpele@otenet.gr

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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