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[Cough syncope caused by a possible Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia]
R Cinotti1, G Moubarak, R Gervais
1Département de cardiologie et maladies vasculaires, centre hospitalo-universtaire de Rennes, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35033 Rennes cedex 09, France. raph.cinotti@gmail.com
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|July 10, 2009
Summary
A 61-year-old man experienced syncope due to cough fits, initially diagnosed as cough syncope. This case highlights a potential link between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and cough-induced syncope.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Cough syncope is a rare condition characterized by transient loss of consciousness triggered by coughing.
- Febrile pneumonia can present with severe coughing fits, potentially precipitating syncopal episodes.
- The etiological agents responsible for infectious pneumonia and their systemic effects are of significant clinical interest.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male presented with recurrent syncope triggered by coughing episodes.
- Initial cardiac and neurological evaluations were unremarkable.
- The patient had concurrent febrile pneumonia.
Findings:
- Diagnostic work-up revealed elevated antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae.
- This suggested Chlamydia pneumoniae as a potential causative agent for the patient's cough syncope.
- Antitussive medication led to clinical recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atypical presentations like cough syncope.
- It underscores the importance of considering infectious etiologies in unexplained syncope, even with negative initial work-ups.
- Effective management involved symptomatic treatment of cough alongside potential antimicrobial therapy considerations.
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