A contemporary 16-year review of Coxiella burnetii infective endocarditis in a tertiary cardiac center in Queensland, Australia. Issue 7 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Armstrong, Mark R.; McCarthy, Kate L.; Horvath, Robert L.
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases. Volume 50:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 538
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Q fever -- Coxiella burnetii -- Endocarditis -- Heart valves -- Australia -- Echocardiography -- Vaccination -- Retrospective studies; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2018.1445279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Coxiella burnetii endocarditis can be difficult to diagnose leading to delays in treatment. This retrospective case series study was undertaken to understand the epidemiologic trends and clinical features of Q fever endocarditis in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Methods: Clinical records of patients from a single center with coding diagnosis of C. burnetii, or serology consistent with chronic Q fever, were reviewed from 1999 to 2015. Data from patients with probable or confirmed Q fever endocarditis was abstracted. Results: Thirteen patients had confirmed and 5 had probable Q fever endocarditis. Median age at diagnosis in confirmed cases was 60 years. In confirmed cases, 92% (12/13) of patients had an underlying valvular defect. Two patients in the confirmed cases had serology not consistent with a diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis. Eight patient records noted retrospective diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis after surgery. Conclusions: As pre-existing valve pathology is a major risk for developing endocarditis, prophylactic strategies such as targeted echocardiography and Q fever vaccination could be considered to reduce the incidence of Q fever endocarditis.