What is Q Fever and Its Transmission?
Q Fever, The query fever stands for the query because the cause of the fever was unknown for some time. The disease is now known to be caused by the gamma- Proteobacterium Coxiella and C. burnetii can survive outside host cells by forming a resistant, endospore-like body. This bacterium infects both wild animals and livestock.
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Goats
are the primary reservoirs. It does not need arthropod vectors for transmissions, but in animals, ticks(many species) transmit C. burneti. By contrast, human transmission is primarily by inhalation of dust contaminated with bacteria from dried animals’ feces or urine, or consumption of unpasteurized milk. Importantly, organisms are shed in high numbers within an amniotic fluid and the placenta during birthing.
The organisms are resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants. These features enable the bacteria to survive for long periods in the environment. The disease can occur in an epidemic among farmers and veterinarians. Each year, fewer than 30 cases of Q fever are reported in the United States.
General Name: Q Fever
Stand For: Query
Known As: Proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, C. burnetii
Symptoms of Q Fever:
In humans, this fever is an acute illness characterized by the sudden onset of.
- Severe Headache
- Malaise
- Confusion
- Sore Throat
- Rarely Fatal
However, endocarditis occurs in about 100% of cases. Five to 10% years may elapse between the initial infection and the appearance of the endocarditis. During this interval, the bacteria reside in the liver and often cause hepatitis. The fatality rate is approximately 4%.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of Q fever is made by national reference laboratories using
- PCR
- Culture of bacterium
- Fluorescent Antibody
- Agglutination Tests
Treatment:
Treatment is with Doxycycline, the antibiotic of choice for acute Q fever. Antibiotic treatment is most effective when initiated within 3 days of illness.
Prevention and controls:
Prevention and controls involve
- Public Education
- Protective Clothing
- Vector control
An attenuated live vaccine is available from the U.S. Army for high-risk laboratory workers. Importantly C. burnetii is a microorganism of concern as a biological threat agent.