Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Use of Fluorescent Immuno-Chemistry for the detection of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish I. punctatus samples
05:23

Use of Fluorescent Immuno-Chemistry for the detection of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish I. punctatus samples

Published on: May 10, 2011

10.7K

Q fever endocarditis in India: A report of two cases

Rayvathy Balasubramanian1, Pierre-Edouard Fournier2, Panneer Selvam Ganesan3

  • 1Dept of Microbiology, Dr. ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Q fever endocarditis, a severe Coxiella burnetii infection, poses diagnostic challenges. This report highlights the successful use of immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and real-time PCR for diagnosing two difficult Q fever endocarditis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Medical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Q fever is a zoonotic illness caused by Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular bacterium.
  • Infective endocarditis represents the most frequent manifestation of chronic Q fever.
  • Diagnosing Q fever is challenging due to the absence of pathognomonic symptoms.

Observation:

  • Traditional culture methods for Coxiella burnetii are laborious and time-consuming.
  • Serological and molecular diagnostic techniques are currently the primary methods for Q fever diagnosis.
  • Two cases of Q fever endocarditis were identified.

Findings:

  • Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was employed for serological diagnosis.
  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilized for molecular detection.
  • Both IFA and real-time PCR proved effective in diagnosing the reported Q fever endocarditis cases.

Implications:

  • The study underscores the utility of IFA and real-time PCR in diagnosing challenging Q fever endocarditis cases.
  • These diagnostic methods offer reliable alternatives to traditional culture techniques.
  • Improved diagnostic accuracy can lead to timely treatment and better patient outcomes for Q fever endocarditis.
Keywords:
IFAQ fever endocarditisReal-time PCR

More Related Videos

Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 106:18

Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1

Published on: March 13, 2018

14.5K
Tick Artificial Membrane Feeding for Ixodes scapularis08:53

Tick Artificial Membrane Feeding for Ixodes scapularis

Published on: November 30, 2022

3.6K

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.