Q Fever

Q Fever is a topic covered in the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics.

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General Principles

  • Q fever is a systemic infection caused by the gram-negative coccoballi, Coxiella burnetti, which is shed in the urine, feces, milk, and especially the placenta of infected livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep, and goats).
  • Close contact to the infected animal (most common exposure) is not required for development of human infection, given that an inoculum of a single bacteria can cause disease.

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General Principles

  • Q fever is a systemic infection caused by the gram-negative coccoballi, Coxiella burnetti, which is shed in the urine, feces, milk, and especially the placenta of infected livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep, and goats).
  • Close contact to the infected animal (most common exposure) is not required for development of human infection, given that an inoculum of a single bacteria can cause disease.

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