Q Fever Endocarditis: Over 14 Years of Surgical Experience in a Referral Center for Rickettsioses
Agnes C. Salamand MD, Frederic Collart MD, Thierry Caus MD, Jean-Paul Casalta MD, Annick Mouly-Bandini MD, Jean-Raoul Monties MD, Gilbert Habib MD, Didier Raoult MD, Thierry G. Mesana MD

Q fever endocarditis caused by Coxiella burnetii is the most important etiology of negative blood culture endocarditis. Because clinical, biological and echocardiographic findings are insidious and do not resemble those of classic endocarditis, diagnosis is difficult and the incidence of this life-threatening disease is underestimated. Early diagnosis is the key to improved prognosis. Specific diagnosis is simplified by the use of serologic testing. The clinical findings of 19 cases of Q fever endocarditis diagnosed at our institution between May 1987 and April 2001 are described.