Unusual manifestations of acute Q fever: autoimmune hemolytic anemia and tubulointerstitial nephritis

• Main Authors: Korkmaz Serdal, Elaldi Nazif, Kayatas Mansur, Sencan Mehmet, Yildiz Esin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-05-01
• Series: Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials
• Subjects: Q fever; Pneumonia; Autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Tubulointerstitial nephritis
• Online Access: http://www.ann-clinmicrob.com/content/11/1/14

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infection that caused by <it>Coxiella burnetii,</it> a strict intracellular bacterium. It may be manifested by some of the autoimmune events and is classified into acute and chronic forms. The most frequent clinical manifestation of acute form is a self-limited febrile illness which is associated with severe headache, muscle ache, arthralgia and cough. Meningoencephalitis, thyroiditis, pericarditis, myocarditis, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, hemolytic anemia, and nephritis are rare manifestations. Here we present a case of acute Q fever together with Coombs’ positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and tubulointerstitial nephritis treated with chlarithromycin, steroids and hemodialysis. Clinicians should be aware of such rare manifestations of the disease.</p>