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Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jan 2017Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, or "query fever," a zoonosis first described in Australia in 1937. Since this first description, knowledge about this pathogen... (Review)
Review
Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, or "query fever," a zoonosis first described in Australia in 1937. Since this first description, knowledge about this pathogen and its associated infections has increased dramatically. We review here all the progress made over the last 20 years on this topic. C. burnetii is classically a strict intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium. However, a major step in the characterization of this pathogen was achieved by the establishment of its axenic culture. C. burnetii infects a wide range of animals, from arthropods to humans. The genetic determinants of virulence are now better known, thanks to the achievement of determining the genome sequences of several strains of this species and comparative genomic analyses. Q fever can be found worldwide, but the epidemiological features of this disease vary according to the geographic area considered, including situations where it is endemic or hyperendemic, and the occurrence of large epidemic outbreaks. In recent years, a major breakthrough in the understanding of the natural history of human infection with C. burnetii was the breaking of the old dichotomy between "acute" and "chronic" Q fever. The clinical presentation of C. burnetii infection depends on both the virulence of the infecting C. burnetii strain and specific risks factors in the infected patient. Moreover, no persistent infection can exist without a focus of infection. This paradigm change should allow better diagnosis and management of primary infection and long-term complications in patients with C. burnetii infection.
Topics: Animals; Coxiella burnetii; Genome, Bacterial; Humans; Q Fever; Virulence; Zoonoses
PubMed: 27856520
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00045-16 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jul 1993Q fever is an acute febrile illness first described in 1935 and now seen in many parts of the world. Human infection follows exposure to animals, especially domestic... (Review)
Review
Q fever is an acute febrile illness first described in 1935 and now seen in many parts of the world. Human infection follows exposure to animals, especially domestic livestock. Recent outbreaks in metropolitan areas have implicated cats as the carrier of disease to humans. The etiologic agent, Coxiella burnetti, belongs to the family Rickettsiaceae, although it has distinct genetic characteristics and modes of transmission. Most recent attention has been focused on a number of large outbreaks of Q fever associated with medical research involving pregnant sheep. Although most infections are self-limited, some patients require prolonged treatment. Recent vaccines have had encouraging success in the prevention of disease in individuals at high risk of exposure.
Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Chronic Disease; Coxiella burnetii; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Q Fever
PubMed: 8358703
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.6.3.193 -
Annals of Agricultural and... 2013Q fever is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by Gram-negative coccobacillus Coxiella burnetii, belonging to the Legionellales order, Coxiellaceae... (Review)
Review
Q fever is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by Gram-negative coccobacillus Coxiella burnetii, belonging to the Legionellales order, Coxiellaceae family. The presented study compares selected features of the bacteria genome, including chromosome and plasmids QpH1, QpRS, QpDG and QpDV. The pathomechanism of infection--starting from internalization of the bacteria to its release from infected cell are thoroughly described. The drugs of choice for the treatment of acute Q fever are tetracyclines, macrolides and quinolones. Some other antimicrobials are also active against C. burnetii, namely, telitromycines and tigecyclines (glicylcycline). Q-VAX vaccine induces strong and long-term immunity in humans. Coxevac vaccine for goat and sheep can reduce the number of infections and abortions, as well as decrease the environmental transmission of the pathogen. Using the microarrays technique, about 50 proteins has been identified which could be used in the future for the production of vaccine against Q fever. The routine method of C. burnetii culture is proliferation within cell lines; however, an artificial culture medium has recently been developed. The growth of bacteria in a reduced oxygen (2.5%) atmosphere was obtained after just 6 days. In serology, using the IF method as positive titers, the IgM antibody level >1:64 and IgG antibody level >1:256 (against II phase antigens) has been considered. In molecular diagnostics of C. burnetii infection, the most frequently used method is PCR and its modifications; namely, nested PCR and real time PCR which detect target sequences, such as htpAB and IS1111, chromosome genes (com1), genes specific for different types of plasmids and transposase genes. Although Q fever was diagnosed in Poland in 1956, the data about the occurrence of the disease are incomplete. Comprehensive studies on the current status of Q fever in Poland, with special focus on pathogen reservoirs and vectors, the sources of infection and molecular characteristics of bacteria should be conducted.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bacterial Vaccines; Coxiella burnetii; Genome, Bacterial; Humans; Livestock; Plasmids; Poland; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Q Fever
PubMed: 23772566
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 1999Q fever is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution with the exception of New Zealand. The disease is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a strictly intracellular,... (Review)
Review
Q fever is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution with the exception of New Zealand. The disease is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a strictly intracellular, gram-negative bacterium. Many species of mammals, birds, and ticks are reservoirs of C. burnetii in nature. C. burnetii infection is most often latent in animals, with persistent shedding of bacteria into the environment. However, in females intermittent high-level shedding occurs at the time of parturition, with millions of bacteria being released per gram of placenta. Humans are usually infected by contaminated aerosols from domestic animals, particularly after contact with parturient females and their birth products. Although often asymptomatic, Q fever may manifest in humans as an acute disease (mainly as a self-limited febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis) or as a chronic disease (mainly endocarditis), especially in patients with previous valvulopathy and to a lesser extent in immunocompromised hosts and in pregnant women. Specific diagnosis of Q fever remains based upon serology. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antiphase II antibodies are detected 2 to 3 weeks after infection with C. burnetii, whereas the presence of IgG antiphase I C. burnetii antibodies at titers of >/=1:800 by microimmunofluorescence is indicative of chronic Q fever. The tetracyclines are still considered the mainstay of antibiotic therapy of acute Q fever, whereas antibiotic combinations administered over prolonged periods are necessary to prevent relapses in Q fever endocarditis patients. Although the protective role of Q fever vaccination with whole-cell extracts has been established, the population which should be primarily vaccinated remains to be clearly identified. Vaccination should probably be considered in the population at high risk for Q fever endocarditis.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Vaccines; Coxiella burnetii; Female; Humans; Incidence; Pregnancy; Q Fever
PubMed: 10515901
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.12.4.518 -
The Australian Journal of Rural Health Oct 2022To assess awareness and risk of Q fever among agricultural show attendees.
OBJECTIVE
To assess awareness and risk of Q fever among agricultural show attendees.
SETTING
University of New England's Farm of the Future Pavilion, 2019, Sydney Royal Agricultural Show.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants were ≥18 years, fluent in English, Australian residents, and gave their informed consent.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Participants reported whether they had ever heard of Q fever and then completed the 'Q Tool' (www.qfevertool.com), which was used to assess participants' demographics and risk profiles. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between these factors.
RESULTS
A total of 344 participants were recruited who, in general, lived in major NSW cities and were aged 40-59 years. 62% were aware of Q fever. Living in regional/remote areas and regular contact with livestock, farms, abattoirs and/or feedlots increased the likelihood of Q fever awareness. Direct or indirect contact with feral animals was not associated with Q fever awareness after controlling for the latter risk factors. 40% of participants had a high, 21% a medium, and 30% a low risk of exposure. Slightly less than 10% reported a likely existing immunity or vaccination against Q fever. Among those who were not immune, living in a regional or remote area and Q fever awareness were independently associated with increased likelihood of exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of Q fever was relatively high. Although 61% of participants had a moderate to high risk of exposure to Q fever, they had not been vaccinated. This highlights the need to explore barriers to vaccination including accessibility of providers and associated cost.
Topics: Animals; Australia; Coxiella burnetii; Q Fever; Risk Factors; Vaccination; Zoonoses
PubMed: 35816572
DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12896 -
British Medical Journal (Clinical... Oct 1983
Topics: Endocarditis, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Male; Q Fever
PubMed: 6412891
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.287.6397.927 -
Future Microbiology Nov 2023Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium . It is an occupational risk for employees of animal industries and is associated with contact with wildlife and... (Review)
Review
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium . It is an occupational risk for employees of animal industries and is associated with contact with wildlife and domestic animals. Although Q fever infection may be asymptomatic, chronic sequelae such as endocarditis occur in 5% of symptomatic individuals. Disease outcomes may be predicted through measurement of immune correlates. Vaccination is the most efficient method to prevent Q fever. Currently, Q-VAX is the only licenced human vaccine. Q-VAX is highly effective; however, individuals previously exposed to are at risk of adverse reactions. This review examines the immunological responses of acute and chronic Q fever and the efforts to provide a safer and cost-effective Q fever vaccine.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Q Fever; Bacterial Vaccines; Coxiella burnetii; Zoonoses; Immunity
PubMed: 37850346
DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0117 -
BioMed Research International 2022Q fever is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by , a Gram-negative bacterium. Despite existence of large amount of research data on the developments related to Q... (Review)
Review
Q fever is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by , a Gram-negative bacterium. Despite existence of large amount of research data on the developments related to Q fever, no bibliometric analysis of this subject is available to our knowledge. Bibliometric studies are an essential resource to track scholarly trends and research output in a subject. This study is aimed at reporting a bibliometric analysis of publications related to Q fever (2,840 articles published in the period 1990-2019) retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded, an online database of Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection. Data was retrieved using keywords "Q fever" or "" in title, abstract, and author keywords to describe important research indicators such as the kind and language of articles, the most important publications, research journals and categories, authors, institutions, and the countries having the most significant contribution to this subject. Finally, the emerging areas in field of diagnosis, host range, and clinical presentation were identified. Word cluster analysis of research related to Q fever revealed that major focus of research has been on zoonosis, seroprevalence, laboratory diagnosis (mainly using ELISA and PCR), clinical manifestations (abortion and endocarditis), vectors (ticks), and hosts (sheep, goat, and cattle). This bibliometric study is intended to visualize the existing research landscape and future trends in Q fever to assist in future knowledge exchange and research collaborations.
Topics: Animals; Bibliometrics; Cattle; Coxiella burnetii; Publications; Q Fever; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sheep
PubMed: 35075431
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9324471 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2022Q fever, caused by the γ-proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis of great importance and global impact. This agent has high transmissibility and can spread... (Review)
Review
Q fever, caused by the γ-proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis of great importance and global impact. This agent has high transmissibility and can spread over long distances via wind, in which a small number of aerosolized particles are needed to infect susceptible hosts. The clinical diagnosis of Q fever is difficult owing to the variety of clinical signs shared with other diseases. In Brazil, studies related to C. burnetii are constantly being conducted, and this review aims to increase the number of approaches already studied, leading to the following question: is Q fever an unknown, neglected disease, or does it have a focal occurrence in certain areas (exotic/rare) in the country?
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Coxiella burnetii; Neglected Diseases; Q Fever; Zoonoses
PubMed: 36169506
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612022051 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for the human disease Q fever. While an inactivated whole cell vaccine exists for this disease, its widespread use is precluded by a... (Review)
Review
is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for the human disease Q fever. While an inactivated whole cell vaccine exists for this disease, its widespread use is precluded by a post vaccination hypersensitivity response. Efforts for the development of an improved Q fever vaccine are intricately connected to the availability of appropriate animal models of human disease. Accordingly, small mammals and non-human primates have been utilized for vaccine-challenge and post vaccination hypersensitivity modeling. Here, we review the animal models historically utilized in Q fever vaccine development, describe recent advances in this area, discuss the limitations and strengths of these models, and summarize the needs and criteria for future modeling efforts. In summary, while many useful models for Q fever vaccine development exist, there remains room for growth and expansion of these models which will in turn increase our understanding of host interactions.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Vaccines; Coxiella burnetii; Mammals; Models, Animal; Q Fever; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 35223553
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.828784