Encephalitis caused by Coxiella burnetii

Acute infection with Coxiella burnetii usually results in a self‐limited illness, but it can occasionally cause chronic endocarditis or hepatitis. Headache is a common presenting symptom of acute infection with this agent, but specific neurological abnormalities are rare. WE report the case of a patient with acute Q fever that caused frank encephalitis. We also review the literature on central nervous system disease attributable to C. burnetii .