Brainstem encephalitis caused by Coxiella burnetii
Jung-Ah Lim1, Jeong-Min Kim2, Soon-Tae Lee1
1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehangno, Chongro-Gu, 110-744 Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, which rarely causes neurologic symptoms. We describe a patient who presented with progressive sensory changes, dizziness, and motor weakness. The cerebrospinal fluid revealed pleocytosis, and MRI indicated the presence of a diffuse brain stem lesion. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed antibodies against C. burnetii. The symptoms improved with antibiotics against C. burnetii. Q fever should be considered as a possible etiology of brainstem encephalitis.
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