We have investigated 21 patients who have had Q fever associated with an organic cardiac murmur
2012
Key concepts
Scholarcy highlights
- Evidence is presented that the infection may be controlled by prolonged tetracycline therapy and that this is accompanied by a falling antibody titre to Phase 1 antigen
- We have investigated 21 patients who have had Q fever associated with an organic cardiac murmur
- It is probable that others had their initial Q fever 20 years, years, years, and 11 years prior to their clinical presentation with Q fever endocarditis, but these times are based only on histories given by the patients
- Diagnostic features often quoted for Q fever endocarditis include: male patients with aortic valve disease usually with anemia and a raised ESR5 and typically with a rise in the gamma globulin level
- The antibody titres to Phase 1 antigen fell, and when he died three years later an aneurysm similar to those often seen with Q fever endocarditis was found but no C. burneti was isolated
- The falling titre following surgery and tetracycline therapy is illustrated by case 3 at the time when macroscopic and microscopic examination for Q fever infection was negative at the second operation
- The combined tetracycline therapy and valve replacement have produced a fall in titres with eradication of infection and palliation of the cardiac disability in all patients followed for long periods
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