Chronic Q fever.

From 1982 to 1986, sera from 36 patients suspected for chronic Q fever were submitted to serologic examination. By serology combined with clinical information, endocarditis was diagnosed in 17 cases, granulomatous hepatitis in 9 cases. 10 cases were dubious.

Q fever in France.

In France Q fever is a notifiable disease, but information could only be obtained from fragmental inquiries. Routine serologic examination of 75 901 sera during the years 1982-85 showed 430 Q fever positive sera (mean rate 0.57%).

[Q fever infectious endocarditis. 3 cases].

An acute infectious disease with predominant pulmonary symptoms, Q fever, may become chronic as hepatitis or, more frequently, endocarditis. We report 3 cases of Q fever endocarditis. In 2 of these patients endocarditis developed on cardiac valve prosthesis.