LIVER INVOLVEMENT IN Q-FEVER AND MEDITERR ANEAN BOUTONNEUSE FEVER - COMPARATIVE-STUDY

Rickettsia spp. infections produce hepatic damage with transaminases e levation and biological signs of cholostasis. Classical biochemical te sts of hepatic function were analyzed and compared in 8 patients with Q Fever (QF) and 7 with Boutonneuse Mediterranean Fever (BMF).Liver en largement was detected in 75% of the QF group of patients as compared with the 57% of the BMF group. Transaminases were raised in 75% of the patients of the QF group and in 85,7% of the BMF patients. Only one p atient in the QF group showed manifest clinical jaundice. Statisticall y significant differences were found between the values of AST, ALT, a lkaline phosphatase and GGT, which were higher in the QF group. Liver involvement is more important in patients with QF than in FBM. There i s a large percentage of clinically silent involvement in both diseases . Liver function tests should be carried out in infections by Ricketts ia spp.