Abstract
Background:
Coxiella burnetii is an endemic bacterial pathogen in the United States and the causative agent of Q fever. Two outbreaks of Q fever occurred in Montana during 2011, which led to the issuance of a health alert urging clinicians to test patients with Q fever-compatible illnesses for C. burnetii infection.
Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients hospitalized for fever, pneumonia, chest pain, and viral infection of unknown etiologies during the two Q fever outbreaks and following the health alert.
Results:
A total of 103 patients were included in the analysis. Clinicians assessed<1% of patients suffering illnesses compatible with Q fever for known risk factors or C. burnetii infection. Only 1 patient had Q fever excluded as a diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Clinicians should assess for Q fever risk factors and consider the diagnosis in patients hospitalized with Q fever–compatible illnesses when the etiology of illness is unknown. Work is warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of current healthcare alert practices for zoonotic diseases.
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