Q fever meningoencephalitis associated with bilateral abducens nerve paralysis, bilateral optic neuritis and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings.

Q fever is an zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetti, the clinical features of which are often nonspecific and self-limited. Involvement of the central nervous system is rare and is usually seen as a complication of endocarditis caused by this rickettsial organism in the chronic disease. Specific neurological manifestations in the course of the acute illness aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, toxic confusional states, extrapyramidal signs, dementia and behavioral disturbances. We describe a patient who developed reversible bilateral abducens nerve paralysis and bilateral optic neuritis in the course of acute Q fever meningoencephalitis.