Vascular Infections Caused by Coxiella Burnetii

Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis that may cause chronic vascular infections with significant morbidity and mortality. In France, the incidence of Coxiella burnetii-related vascular infections appears to be increasing, although published data remain scarce. Reported two-year mortality reaches 15-18%, largely due to severe complications such as arterio-digestive fistulas. Classical risk factors include aortic aneurysm and vascular grafts, but many patients present without clear zoonotic exposure, leading to frequent underdiagnosis. Prognostic factors are poorly defined, apart from the lack of surgical management, which worsens outcomes. Diagnosis is often delayed, and the value of advanced imaging modalities such as 18F-FDG PET/CT or labeled leukocyte scintigraphy remains insufficiently studied.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (≥ 18yrs old) with native or prosthetic vascular infection due to C. burnetii (Jan 2000 - Dec 2023)
• diagnosis based on CNR vascular Q fever criteria,
• supplemented by MAGIC (Management of Aortic Graft Infection Collaboration) criteria for prosthetic/ - endovascular infections or aortitis/arteritis criteria,
• no objection to reuse of patient data.

Exclusion criteria

• patient under legal protection,
• insufficient French language comprehension