Abstract
A 23-year-old woman with prolonged fever, rash, and pericarditis associated with high titers of antinuclear, anti-Sm, and anti-RNP antibodies was suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, we also considered infectious diseases, particularly Q fever, as the C-reactive protein level was elevated and the patient reported contact with zoo animals around two weeks before the onset. The condition responded rapidly to administration of minocycline; symptoms resolved without using steroids. Thereafter, no recurrence of the illness was observed. Titer of Coxiella burnetii antibody was high and the illness was accordingly diagnosed as acute Q fever rather than SLE.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 323-326 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Internal Medicine |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 Apr 3 |
Keywords
- Autoantibody
- Collagen disease
- Coxiella burnetii
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine