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Acute Q fever in children presenting with encephalitis
Sarit Ravid1, Eli Shahar, Jacob Genizi
1Child Neurology Unit and Epilepsy Service, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. s_ravid@rambam.health.gov.il
Pediatric Neurology
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Coxiella burnetii infection can cause encephalitis in children, presenting with various neurological symptoms. Prompt antibiotic treatment with doxycycline led to full recovery in all cases, suggesting Q fever is a crucial diagnosis to consider.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Encephalitis in children necessitates a broad differential diagnosis.
- Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonotic pathogen.
- Q fever is a potential cause of febrile illness.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases of encephalitis linked to Coxiella burnetii infection were documented.
- Neurological manifestations included status epilepticus, coma, headache, and pseudotumor cerebri syndrome.
- All patients received doxycycline treatment.
Findings:
- The children exhibited a positive response to antibiotic therapy.
- Full clinical recovery was achieved in all three patients.
- This highlights the efficacy of doxycycline in treating Coxiella burnetii encephalitis.
Implications:
- Q fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric encephalitis.
- Routine serological testing for Q fever may be beneficial in endemic regions.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe neurological sequelae in children.
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