J Rheum Dis.  2013 Feb;20(1):40-43. 10.4078/jrd.2013.20.1.40.

A Case of Q Fever that may Mimic Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Lee HM
• Mo SI
• Cho HW
• Lee SJ
• Jun BG
• Kim KW
• Kim JY
• Kim YI
• Nah SS

• KMID: 2223047
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2013.20.1.40

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by a Coxiella burnetii. Q fever is clinically variable, presenting as asymptomatic infection, pneumonia, hepatitis and endocarditis. Treatment of acute Q fever with doxycycline is usually successful. Autoantibodies, such as anti-mitochondrial antibodies, smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), anti-cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant, often rise in acute Q fever infection. Some cases may occasionally meet the criteria for autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a first case of Q fever that may mimic systemic lupus erythematosus in Korea.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); Q fever; Coxiella burnetii

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Asymptomatic Infections
Autoantibodies
Autoimmune Diseases
Coxiella burnetii
Doxycycline
Endocarditis
Hepatitis
Hydrazines
Korea
Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Muscle, Smooth
Pneumonia
Q Fever
Antibodies
Autoantibodies
Doxycycline
Hydrazines
Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor

Figure

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  Figure 1. Chest CT shows bilateral pleural effusion (arrows).

Reference

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