Review of Q fever cases in and around Yozgat province

Abstract

Aims: Q fever is a prevalent disease, especially encountered in endemic areas, and presents itself with non-specific symptoms such as fever, arthralgia and widespread body pain, and cough. It can have various acute or chronic presentations. However, significantly rapid recovery is achieved with early diagnosis and treatment. Our study aimed to raise awareness about this disease, which seems simple but requires clinical suspicion, and support the treatment approach. Methods: 92 individuals who applied to our hospital between 2017 and 2022 and were diagnosed with Q fever by microbiological tests were included in the study. These patients' symptoms, blood hemogram, AST, ALT, ALP, CRP values and their response to treatment were taken from patient files and analyzed. Results: 92 patients were serologically diagnosed with Q fever. Of these, 44 (48.2%) were male, and 48 (51.8%) were female. 29 (31.5%) had afever, 32 (34.8%) had joint pain, 13 (14.1%) had a cough, and 44 (47.8%) had widespread body pain. Pneumonia developed in 18 (19.6%) patients and hepatitis in 16 (17%). Tetracycline was started in 74 patients as first-line therapy and replaced with quinolone in one patient because of intolerance. First-line quinolone therapy was used in 18 pneumonia patients. Conclusion: First-line quinolone treatments were effective