Q fever

Coxiella burnetii is a strictly intracellular Gram negative bacterium, agent of the Q fever (Burnet and Freeman, 1937; Cox, 1938.). This disease is present worldwide except in New-Zealand and Hawaï. C. burnetii is able to infect a large range of hosts including humans. Domestic animals and pets are the main reservoirs, but game, rodents, birds and arthropods can also transmit the bacterium. Q fever is a zoonosis mainly transmitted by ovine, bovine ans caprine. Human Q fever usually results from inhalation of contaminated aerosols coming mostly from tissues and body fluids of infected animals.

Coxiella burnetii is present in reproductive apparatus, placenta and fluids produced during parturition or abortion. The bacterium is excreted in milk and faeces of infected animals presenting no clinical signs. Mostly infections are asymptomatic or subclinical by Human, but can be manifested as a flu-like disease, or as hepatitis. A neurological involvment is also possible. Pericarditis and myocarditis are rare. Coxiella burnetii can induce abortions, causing economic losses in cattle. Prevention consists mostly in precautions with pregnant females and with fluids from parturition

Detection of Coxiella burnetii by culture is long and difficult. Detection of antibodies doesn’t give information on sanitary status of the animal. DNA fragments amplification tests have been developed. (Berri et al., 2000).