Table 1 Population characteristics of 52 patients with possible, probable and proven chronic Q fever*
| Â | Proven chronic Q fever: | Probable chronic Q fever: | Possible chronic Q fever: |
|---|---|---|---|
Number of patients | Number of patients | Number of patients | |
(% or range) | (% or range) | (% or range) | |
General | |||
Number of patients | 18 | 14 | 20 |
Male sex | 17 (94%) | 8 (57%) | 11 (55%) |
Age at diagnosis | 61 ± 16 yrs (26-88) | 63 ± 12 yrs (43-84) | 54 ± 15 yrs (26 – 81) |
Mean BMI | 25 ± 3 kg/m2 (18-30) | 25 ± 4 kg/m2 (18-30) | 25 ± 7 kg/m2 (19-41) |
History of smoking | 14 (78%) | 9 (64%) | 10 (50%) |
Symptomatic acute infection | 8 (44%) | 12 (86%) | 13 (65%) |
Symptomatic chronic infection | 14 (78%) | 2 (14%) | 0 |
Mean interval acute Q fever to analysis | 12 ± 9 months (1-27) | 16 ± 11 months (1-41) | 7 ± 5 months (1-15) |
Antibiotic therapy for chronic Q fever | 18 (100%) | 7 (50%) | 3 (15%) |
Localization of infection | 13 (72%) | 2 (14%) | 0 |
Definite endocarditis | 4 (22%)†‡ | 2 (14%)§ | 0 |
Vascular prosthesis | 3 (17%)‡ | 0 | 0 |
Mycotic aneurysm | 7 (39%) | 0 | 0 |
Focus unknown | 5 (28%) | 12 (86%) | 20 (100%) |