A case of aortic abscess and acute kidney injury caused by chronic Q fever.

BACKGROUND

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a global zoonosis characterized by acute self-limiting influenza-like syndrome, pneumonia, hepatitis, or chronic infection.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 62-year-old farmer previously healthy, presented with fever and heart failure which was alleviated with appropriate antimicrobial treatment, but later developed recurrent fever with hematuria and acute kidney injury. Renal biopsy showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with exudative features. A usual infection screen and blood culture failed to determine the source of infection. However, a cardioesophageal ultrasound showed the formation of a pus cavity at the root of the ascending aorta. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and serology of Coxiella burnetti turned out positive indicative of Q fever infection.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of Q fever infection complicated by infective endocarditis and glomerulonephritis, describing its clinical manifestations, diagnostic course, treatment outcomes, and follow-up.

CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.