Overview

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed globally.  In 1999, Q fever became a notifiable disease in the United States but reporting is not required in many other countries. Because the disease is underreported, scientists cannot reliably assess how many cases of Q fever have actually occurred worldwide.  Many human infections are inapparent.

Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary reservoirs of C. burnetii.  Infection has been noted in a wide variety of other animals, including other species of livestock and in domesticated pets.  Coxiella burnetii does not usually cause clinical disease in these animals, although abortion in goats and sheep has been linked to C. burnetii infection.  Organisms are excreted in milk, urine, and feces of infected animals. Most importantly, during birthing the organisms are shed in high numbers within the amniotic fluids and the placenta.  The organisms are resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants.  These features enable the bacteria to survive for long periods in the environment.  Infection of humans usually occurs by inhalation of these organisms from air that contains airborne barnyard dust contaminated by dried placental material, birth fluids, and excreta of infected herd animals.  Humans are often very susceptible to the disease, and very few organisms may be required to cause infection.

Diagnosis

Because the 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.  Confirming a diagnosis of Q fever requires serologic testing to detect the presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii antigens. In most laboratories, the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the most dependable and widely used method. Coxiella burnetii may also be identified in infected tissues by using immunohistochemical staining and DNA detection methods.

Antibody

Antigen

Kits

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