Aseptic Meningitis Caused by Coxiella Burnetii

Cristóvão Figueiredo1, Flora Candeias, Maria João Brito

  • 1From the Infectious Diseases Unit, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal.

Insights

Neurologic Q fever is rare, but this case highlights a 16-year-old female with severe headache and aseptic meningitis due to acute Coxiella burnetii infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, typically presents with nonspecific symptoms.
  • Neurologic manifestations of acute Q fever are uncommon, making diagnosis challenging.

Observation:

  • A 16-year-old female presented with severe headache.
  • Clinical and laboratory findings indicated aseptic meningitis.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with acute Coxiella burnetii infection.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed aseptic meningitis.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering Q fever in the differential diagnosis of aseptic meningitis, especially in endemic areas.
  • Early recognition and treatment of neuro-Q fever are crucial to prevent potential complications.

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
97
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
41
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
1.2K
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
41
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
591
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
4.2K