Acute Q fever presenting as antiphospholipid syndrome, pneumonia, and acalculous cholecystitis and masquerading as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and hepatitis C viral infections

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2011;64(6):525-7.

Abstract

We report a case of Q fever-related antiphospholipid syndrome in a patient presenting with acalculous cholecystitis and pneumonia. Serial laboratory tests indicated that the previous serological tests suggesting hepatitis C virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections were false-positives. The patient's fever persisted despite treatment with doxycycline, but disappeared 1 day after initiation of steroid treatment. To avoid incorrect diagnosis and subsequent delays in appropriate treatment of Q fever patients, the possibility that Q fever can masquerade as other infections or as an autoimmune disease should be kept in mind.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acalculous Cholecystitis / etiology
  • Acalculous Cholecystitis / pathology*
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / etiology
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / etiology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / pathology*
  • Q Fever / complications*
  • Q Fever / diagnosis*
  • Q Fever / drug therapy
  • Q Fever / pathology
  • Steroids / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Steroids
  • Doxycycline