Which individuals are at highest risk for chronic Q fever?

Which individuals are at highest risk for chronic Q fever?

• A. People with valvular surgery, valvular prosthesis, or aneurysms
• B. Healthy young adults
• C. People with asthma
• D. Recent immigrants

Answer: (A)

Chronic Q fever most often shows up as endocarditis in people with damaged heart valves or vascular abnormalities. The Coxiella burnetii organism can persist and seed abnormal endocardium, and prosthetic valves, prior valve surgery, or aneurysms/vascular grafts create surfaces that are especially susceptible to sustained infection. That combination of prior valve or vascular disease provides the niche where the organism can persist and cause chronic illness. Healthy young adults are far less likely to develop chronic Q fever, and asthma or recent immigration don’t by themselves confer this high risk.

Chronic Q fever most often shows up as endocarditis in people with damaged heart valves or vascular abnormalities. The Coxiella burnetii organism can persist and seed abnormal endocardium, and prosthetic valves, prior valve surgery, or aneurysms/vascular grafts create surfaces that are especially susceptible to sustained infection. That combination of prior valve or vascular disease provides the niche where the organism can persist and cause chronic illness. Healthy young adults are far less likely to develop chronic Q fever, and asthma or recent immigration don’t by themselves confer this high risk.