Acute Pericarditis In Q-Fever - A Case-Report

The authors report a case of pleuro-pericarditis during an acute Coxiella burnetii infection. They point out the rarity of this mode of presentation of acute Q fever and the diagnostic difficulties in the absence of focal pulmonary or hepatic signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by serological changes, essentially indirect immunofluorescence. They underline the importance of early diagnosis before the disease become chronic, exposing the patient to more serious cardiac disease which may be difficult to treat.