#PAGE_PARAMS# #ADS_HEAD_SCRIPTS# #MICRODATA#

Q fever: properties of the agent


Authors: M. Votava
Authors‘ workplace: Mikrobiologický ústav LF MU a FN u svaté Anny v Brně přednosta prof. MUDr. M. Votava, CSc.
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2005; 85(7): 385-387
Category: Reviews

Overview

The agent of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, is a minute pleomorphic gram-negative coccobacillus. It belongs to the most resistant bacteria and is namely resistant to desiccation. It can therefore become a dangerous biological weapon. It propagates intracellularly only, namely in the phagolysosomes. There has been described a developmental cycle in coxiellae, that includes macrocellular and microcellular forms and the formation of spore-like bodies. In the laboratory, coxiellae can be propagated in the yolk sac of chick embryos, in cell cultures, and in experimental animals, however, those procedures involve a great risk of laboratory infection. By passaging in the laboratory the virulent antigenic phase I passes to phase II which corresponds roughly to the R-phase in common bacteria. Acute infection mostly takes the course of atypical pneumonia, a flu-like affection, hepatitis, or chronic endocarditis. Q fever is a typical zoonosis, mostly profession-linked, the respiratory tract being the chief portal of entry. The remedy of choice are broad-spectrum antibiotics. Routine laboratory diagnostics is based on the presence of antibodies, more recently direct demonstration by the polymerase chain reaction has been recommended.

Key words:
Coxiella burnetii – Q fever – microbiology.


Labels
General practitioner for children and adolescents General practitioner for adults
Topics Journals
Login
Forgotten password

Enter the email address that you registered with. We will send you instructions on how to set a new password.

Login

Don‘t have an account?  Create new account

#ADS_BOTTOM_SCRIPTS#