Published in:
01-07-2021 | Aneurysm | Brief Report
Long-term serological follow-up after primary Coxiella burnetii infection in patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever
Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases | Issue 7/2021
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We evaluated the long-term serological follow-up of patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever that were previously Coxiella burnetii seropositive. C. burnetii phase I IgG titers were reevaluated in patients that gave informed consent or retrospectively collected in patients already deceased or lost to follow-up. Of 107 patients, 25 (23.4%) became seronegative, 77 (72.0%) retained a profile of past resolved Q fever infection, and five (4.7%) developed chronic Q fever. We urge clinicians to stay vigilant for chronic Q fever beyond two years after primary infection and perform serological testing based on clinical presentation.