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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Q fever''' is caused by infection with ''[[Coxiella burnetii]]''. 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 time 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 <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/qfever/</ref>. | '''Q fever''' is caused by infection with ''[[Coxiella burnetii]]''. 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|incubation time]] 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 <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/qfever/</ref>. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
*Q fever is caused by the bacteria [[Coxiella burnetii]], which lives in domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, birds, and cats. Some wild animals and ticks also carry the bacteria. | *Q fever is caused by the bacteria [[Coxiella burnetii]], which lives in domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, birds, and cats. Some wild animals and [[Tick|ticks]] also carry the [[bacteria]]. | ||
*Q fever may be contracted through drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk, or after inhaling dust or droplets in the air that are contaminated with animal feces, blood, or birth products. | *Q fever may be contracted through drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk, or after inhaling dust or droplets in the air that are contaminated with animal feces, blood, or birth products. | ||
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*A physical examination may reveal: | *A physical examination may reveal: | ||
'''Early Onset'' | '''Early Onset'' | ||
*Crackles in the lungs | *[[Rales|Crackles]] in the lungs | ||
*Enlarged liver and spleen | *Enlarged liver and spleen | ||
'''Late onset''' | '''Late onset''' | ||
*heart murmur | *[[heart murmur]] | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
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*[[Doxycycline]] is very effective | *[[Doxycycline]] is very effective | ||
*The chronic form is more difficult to treat and can require up to two years of treatment with doxycycline and [[Hydroxychloroquine]]. | *The chronic form is more difficult to treat and can require up to two years of treatment with doxycycline and [[Hydroxychloroquine]]. | ||
*Q fever in pregnancy is especially difficult to treat because doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy and so preferred treatment is [[Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole]]. | *Q fever in pregnancy is especially difficult to treat because [[doxycycline]] is contraindicated in pregnancy and so preferred treatment is [[Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 22:53, 3 June 2017
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Q fever is caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. 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 time 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 [1].
Causes
- Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which lives in domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, birds, and cats. Some wild animals and ticks also carry the bacteria.
- Q fever may be contracted through drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk, or after inhaling dust or droplets in the air that are contaminated with animal feces, blood, or birth products.
Physical Examination
- A physical examination may reveal:
'Early Onset
- Crackles in the lungs
- Enlarged liver and spleen
Late onset
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- Doxycycline is very effective
- The chronic form is more difficult to treat and can require up to two years of treatment with doxycycline and Hydroxychloroquine.
- Q fever in pregnancy is especially difficult to treat because doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy and so preferred treatment is Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole.