Q fever pathophysiology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Q fever Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Overview
Q fever is caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This organism is uncommon but may be found in cattle, sheep, goats and other domestic mammals, including cats and dogs. Q fever is a rickettsial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii (COX-ee-ELL-uh burn-ETT-eye).
Pathophysiology
Ingestion of contaminated milk, followed by regurgitation and inspiration of the contaminated food, is a less common mode of transmission. Other modes of transmission to humans, including tick bites and human to human transmission, are rare. Can animals transmit Q fever to me?
Yes, some animals can pass Q fever to people. Cattle, sheep, and goats are most likely to carry C. burnetii, but other kinds of animals can also have this disease. Most infected animals do not show signs of Q fever, but the organism can be in barnyard dust that contains manure, urine or dried fluids from the births of calves or lambs. People usually get Q fever by breathing in this contaminated barnyard dust. Occasionally, people can get Q fever from drinking contaminated milk or from tick bites. Coxiella burnetii Infection