ACUTE PERICARDITIS IN Q-FEVER - A CASE-RE PORT

The authors report a case of pleuro-pericarditis during an acute Coxie lla burnetii infection. They point out the rarity of this mode of pres entation of acute Q fever and the diagnostic difficulties in the absen ce of focal pulmonary or hepatic signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by serological changes, essentially indirect immunofluorescence. They un derline the importance of early diagnosis before the disease become ch ronic, exposing the patient to more serious cardiac disease which may be difficult to treat.