Q fever is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans. Q fever is caused by a microbe called "Coxiella burnetii." This microbe can survive for months and even years in dust or soil.

Many infections are asymptomatic. Common symptoms resemble a serious case of the flu with high fever, chills and sweating. In some case's people develop liver and heart disease.

Individuals at highest risk include those with underlying heart valve abnormalities, as well as people with weakened immune systems.

Coxiella burnetii: It is a species of bacteria that is distributed globally.

It is a small gram-negative organism that lives inside acidic lysosomes, a point that has therapeutic implications.

The organism exists in 2 forms, phase I and phase II, which are analogous to the lipopolysaccharide rough and smooth phase of Enterobacteriaceae organisms. The phase I form is isolated from animals and is the infectious form. The organism is remarkably resistant to environmental extremes. A spore form also exists.

The bacterium has been difficult to study because it cannot be cultured on artificial media, and it grows slowly. The microbe replicates about every ten hours which means it can take two weeks to grow enough for some experiments.

Causes of Q fever:

Q fever is a disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii, a bacteria that affects both humans and animals. This organism is uncommon but may be found in cattle, sheep, goats and other domestic mammals, including cats and dogs.

The infection results from inhalation of contaminated particles in the air, and from contact with the vaginal mucus, milk, feces, urine or semen of infected animals. The incubation period is 9-40 days. It is considered possibly the most infectious disease in the world, as a human being can be infected by a single bacterium

Symptoms of Q fever:

Signs and symptoms of Q fever are not specific to this disease, it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis without appropriate laboratory testing.

Results from some types of routine laboratory tests in the appropriate clinical and epidemiologic settings may suggest a diagnosis of Q fever. For example, a platelet count may be suggestive because persons with Q fever may show a transient thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Confirming a diagnosis of Q fever requires blood serologic testing to detect the presence of antibodies to C.

Treatment of Q fever:

Treatment with antibiotics can shorten the length of the illness. Antibiotics that are commonly used include tetracycline and doxycycline.

Tetracycline given by mouth should not be used by children whose teeth are still forming, because it can permanently discolor growing teeth.

Minocycline has been found to be useful in treating post-Q fever fatigue. The dosage is 100 mg per day for three months.

Doxycycline and quinolone antibiotics are effective for treatment of Q fever.

Preventive measures:

Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and goat cheese.

Take proper precautions while working on a farm, and avoid exposure to parturient mammals.

Use protective clothing, gloves and masks while working with these animals (especially pregnant ones).

Properly decontaminate surfaces with formalin or bleach solutions.

Properly dispose of contaminated waste.

Pregnant women should not help with the birthing of livestock.

When visiting farms, livestock auctions or shows, careful sanitation regarding hands, footwear, trucks and transport trailers etc. is recommended.

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