Q fever: a case with a vascular infection complication

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Chronic Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, most commonly manifests as endocarditis.
• Vascular infections, including those of aneurysms and prostheses, represent the second most frequent presentation of chronic Q fever.
• Identifying predisposing factors for chronic Q fever is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• A patient with elevated antibody titers and pre-existing valve disease underwent abdominal and pelvic CT scans.
• The CT scan revealed a renal artery aneurysm during a systematic investigation.
• This finding prompted further evaluation for vascular chronic Q fever.

Findings:

• The case presented demonstrates a rare instance of vascular chronic Q fever.
• A renal artery aneurysm was identified as a key finding in this patient.
• The investigation linked high antibody titers to the vascular complication.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering vascular complications in chronic Q fever, even beyond endocarditis.
• Renal artery aneurysms may be an under-recognized manifestation of vascular Q fever.
• Systematic investigation, including advanced imaging, is vital for diagnosing atypical presentations of chronic Q fever.