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. 2016 May 25;3(4):000423.
doi: 10.12890/2016_000423. eCollection 2016.

Acute Q Fever Presenting with Multi-Organ Failure: Re-Evaluation of the Initial Diagnosis

Noel Lorenzo Villalba  1 , Maria Belen Alonso Ortiz  1 , Laura Ros Sanjuan  1 , Jerónimo Artiles Vizcaíno  1 , Saturnino Suárez Ortega  1
Affiliations

Acute Q Fever Presenting with Multi-Organ Failure: Re-Evaluation of the Initial Diagnosis

Noel Lorenzo Villalba et al. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. .

Abstract

We present the case of a 48-year-old man admitted to the critical care unit with atrial fibrillation, and acute heart and kidney failure accompanied by coagulopathy and an abnormal liver test. Initially diagnosed as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, re-evaluation of the case led to the consideration of severe sepsis. Q fever and leptospirosis were the most probable causes and empiric treatment was initiated. A complete recovery was achieved following treatment.

Learning points: Epidemiological antecedents of interest must always be collected in the clinical record.Acute Q fever infection may be mild or present with multiple organ damage.Empiric treatment with doxycycline must be started when Q fever is suspected.

Keywords: Q fever; Raw milk; multiorgan failure.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interests: The Authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bilateral pleural effusion and hilar congestion; (right) complete resolution.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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