Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Research has shown the vast majority of known Q-fever cases is related to goats and sheep.
However: the Q-fever bacteria (CB) had been found with more than 100 mammal species, including pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, ponies .
To say that Q-fever is underreported, probably is an understatement.
Today this abstract of a study from Brazil: Q-fever related to dogs.
Remember also this study from the USA: 16 were infected after the cat got kittens.
Recently a study was published about some hunters in Taiwan, infected through the deer they shot.
No reason to panic if you have pets, keep on taking care of them, keep on hugging them.
Q-fever is harmless most of the time. 60% of the infected doesn't even notice it: they are a-symptomatic.
A small group of patients can develop chronic Q-fever, often with chronic fatigue . It can take a long time to get rid of that.
Some riskgroups are vulnerable: immunocompromised patients, patients with vascular problems, pregnants.
They should stay away from animals which are delivering.
If you have a fever from unknown origin, think of Q-fever as a possible diagnosis. Especially if you have contact with animals.
Fast diagnosis and the right treatment can prevent a lot of problems.
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Q Fever as a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin and Thrombocytosis: First Molecular Evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Brazil.
Abstract
We report a case of Q fever in a man who presented with fever of 40 days duration associated with thrombocytosis. Serological and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction) confirmed infection with Coxiella burnetii.
A field study was conducted by collecting blood samples from the patient's family and from the animals in the patient's house. The patient's wife and 2 of 13 dogs showed seroreactivity.
Our data indicate that C. burnetii may be an underrecognized cause of fever in Brazil and emphasize the need for clinicians to consider Q fever in patients with a febrile illness, particularly those with a history of animal contact.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20569012
However: the Q-fever bacteria (CB) had been found with more than 100 mammal species, including pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, ponies .
To say that Q-fever is underreported, probably is an understatement.
Today this abstract of a study from Brazil: Q-fever related to dogs.
Remember also this study from the USA: 16 were infected after the cat got kittens.
Recently a study was published about some hunters in Taiwan, infected through the deer they shot.
No reason to panic if you have pets, keep on taking care of them, keep on hugging them.
Q-fever is harmless most of the time. 60% of the infected doesn't even notice it: they are a-symptomatic.
A small group of patients can develop chronic Q-fever, often with chronic fatigue . It can take a long time to get rid of that.
Some riskgroups are vulnerable: immunocompromised patients, patients with vascular problems, pregnants.
They should stay away from animals which are delivering.
If you have a fever from unknown origin, think of Q-fever as a possible diagnosis. Especially if you have contact with animals.
Fast diagnosis and the right treatment can prevent a lot of problems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q Fever as a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin and Thrombocytosis: First Molecular Evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Brazil.
Abstract
We report a case of Q fever in a man who presented with fever of 40 days duration associated with thrombocytosis. Serological and molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction) confirmed infection with Coxiella burnetii.
A field study was conducted by collecting blood samples from the patient's family and from the animals in the patient's house. The patient's wife and 2 of 13 dogs showed seroreactivity.
Our data indicate that C. burnetii may be an underrecognized cause of fever in Brazil and emphasize the need for clinicians to consider Q fever in patients with a febrile illness, particularly those with a history of animal contact.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20569012