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Q fever meningoencephalitis in a soldier returning from the Persian Gulf War
1Department of Neurology, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236.
Abstract:
Acute infection with Coxiella burnetti usually results in a self-limited illness requiring a high index of clinical suspicion for diagnosis. Although headache is a common presentation of acute infection with this agent, focal neurological deficits are considered to be limited to chronic infection, most commonly caused by emboli from endocarditis. We report the case of a soldier returning from Desert Storm who presented with headache and a crescendo pattern of transient ischemic attacks and had serology consistent with an acute Q fever infection. The English-language literature on central nervous system infection caused by Coxiella burnetti is reviewed.
Insights
Acute Q fever infection, typically causing mild illness, can present with neurological symptoms like transient ischemic attacks. This case highlights the importance of considering Coxiella burnetii in patients with unusual neurological presentations after deployment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute Coxiella burnetii infection (Q fever) usually causes self-limited illness.
- Neurological deficits are typically associated with chronic Q fever, often from endocarditis-related emboli.
- Headache is a common symptom in acute Q fever.