Endocarditis Caused by Coxiella burnetii: A Case Report in Western Iran

Shahla Afrasiabian; Saber Esmaeili; Katayon Hajibagheri; Nooshin Hadizadeh; Gohar Lotfi; Arshad  Veysi

doi:10.18502/jad.v18i1.15674

Shahla Afrasiabian Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Saber Esmaeili Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Dis¬eases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Katayon Hajibagheri Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanan¬daj, Iran
Nooshin Hadizadeh Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Gohar Lotfi Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanan¬daj, Iran
Arshad Veysi Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v18i1.15674

Keywords: Q fever; Coxiella burnetii; Endocarditis; Kurdistan; Iran

Abstract

Background: Q fever is a contagious zoonotic disease which is caused by a gram-negative and intracellular Coccobacillus known as Coxiella burnetii ticks play a role in its transmission. Endocarditis is the most common consequence of chronic Q fever.

Methods: Here we report a case of endocarditis caused by Q fever. The patient is a 67-year-old, and she had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and aortic valve replacement surgery.

Results: The result of echocardiography showed a suspicious mass (Vegetation) on the implanted valve. Based on laboratory and clinical assessments, endocarditis caused by C. burnetii was the final diagnosis.

Conclusion: Q fever is a tick-transmitted pathogen that has been known as an important cause of culture-negative endocarditis in Iran, and more attention needs to be paid to this disease in Iran by the healthcare system and physicians.