Difficult management of pediatric acute Q fever

Authors

  • Rafael Costa Figueiredo Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Diana R. Monteiro Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Ana Isabel Rebelo Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Ana Azevedo Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Sara Freitas de Oliveira Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga
  • Susana Tavares Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v30.i3.17089

Keywords:

acute Q fever, Acute Q fever; Doxycycline; Paediatric Q fever., pediatric Q fever

Abstract

Introduction: Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetti, is relatively rare in the pediatric population. The disease is often asymptomatic or with mild clinical presentation in children.

Case report: A four-year-old boy with persistent fever, severe anemia, and positive IgM for Coxiella burnetti was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and azithromycin, with no improvement. After polymerase chain reaction confirmation, he completed 14 days of doxycycline, with good response. After eleven months, the child remains asymptomatic.

Discussion: Despite having a usually mild presentation, the severe clinical progression and lack of response to initial antibiotic therapy in this case prompt the use of doxycycline, a non-consensual drug in younger ages, with good results. New recommendations endorse the use of this drug for short periods at any age.

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References

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Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Figueiredo RC, Monteiro DR, Rebelo AI, Azevedo A, de Oliveira SF, Tavares S. Difficult management of pediatric acute Q fever. BGMJ [Internet]. 2021 Sep. 30 [cited 2025 Dec. 11];30(3):179-82. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/17089

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 3 (2021)

Section

Clinical Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Rafael Costa Figueiredo, Diana R. Monteiro, Ana Isabel Rebelo, Ana Azevedo, Sara Freitas de Oliveira, Susana Tavares

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