Abstract

Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, and may be present as an acute or chronic disease. In acute cases, the most common clinical manifestations are acute febrile illness, hepatitis, and pneumonia. In this case report, we presented a case of 37-year-old female presenting with fever, headache, and abdominal pain, and with normal liver enzymes and X-ray imaging. However, an enlarged spleen was detected by abdominal ultrasonography. “Probable” Q fever was diagnosed with results of a negative C. burnetii phase II IgM and a 1/256 titre of phase II IgG learned after her discharge. Repeat C. burnetii phase II IgM titre 1/24 and phase II IgG titre 1/256 were detected two weeks later. Although Q fever is often diagnosed as a form of pneumonia or hepatitis, interestingly, in our case, there were no symptoms of any pulmonary or hepatic disease. Thus, we would like to recommend that Q fever should also be considered in a patient with headache and splenomegaly, even in the absence of any sign of pneumonia or hepatitis. Klimik Dergisi 2017; 30(1): 38-40.