Q Fever Risk in Patients Treated with Chronic Antitumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Therapy

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Coxiella burnetii . Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α ) plays a pivotal role in the defense against infection with this Gram-negative coccobacillus. Theoretically, patients who are treated with anti-TNF- α medications are at risk for developing chronic Q fever. We present two patients who developed Q fever while being treated with anti-TNF- α agents and discuss the significance of timely diagnosis of C. burnetii infection in these patients.