Delayed diagnosis of chronic Q fever and cardiac valve surgery

Abstract

Untreated chronic Q fever causes a high number of complications and deaths. We present cases of chronic Q fever that were not diagnosed until after the patients underwent cardiac valve surgery. In epidemic areas, Q fever screening of valve surgery patients secures early initiation of treatment and can prevent illness and death.

Keywords: Coxiella burnetii; Q fever; Q fever endocarditis; bacteria; cardiac surgical procedures; chronic Q fever; valvular heart disease; valvulopathy; zoonoses.