Chronic Q Fever Diagnosis-Consensus Guideline versus Expert Opinion

Linda M. Kampschreur*, Marjolijn C. A. Wegdam-Blans, Peter C. Weyer, Nicole H. M. Renders, Corine E. Delsing, Tom Sprong, Marjo E. E. van Kasteren, Henk BijImer, Daan Notermans, Jan Jelrik Oosterheert, Frans S. Stals, Marrigje H. Nabuurs-Franssen, Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers,

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Chronic Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, has high mortality and morbidity rates if left untreated. Controversy about the diagnosis of this complex disease has emerged recently. We applied the guideline from the Dutch Q Fever Consensus Group and a set of diagnostic criteria proposed by Didier Raoult to all 284 chronic Q fever patients included in the Dutch National Chronic Q Fever Database during 2006-2012. Of the patients who had proven cases of chronic Q fever by the Dutch guideline, 46 (30.5%) would not have received a diagnosis by the alternative criteria designed by Raoult, and 14 (4.9%) would have been considered to have possible chronic Q fever. Six patients with proven chronic Q fever died of related causes. Until results from future studies are available, by which current guidelines can be modified, we believe that the Dutch literature-based consensus guideline is more sensitive and easier to use in clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1183-1188
Number of pages6
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume21
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2015

Keywords

  • ENDOCARDITIS
  • INFECTIONS
  • CRITERIA

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