infectious diseases
Q Fever
Key Points
Sheep, cattle, and goats are the principal reservoirs for human Q fever infection, which occurs worldwide. Transmission to humans is usually by inhalation of infectious aerosols; arthropods are not involved. Acute symptoms resemble influenza; respiratory symptoms may be particularly severe in older patients or patients who are debilitated. Chronic Q fever occurs in < 5% of patients and usually manifests as endocarditis or hepatitis. Diagnose using immunofluorescence assay or PCR testing of infected tissue or blood specimens. Treat acute Q fever withdoxycycline, typically for 2 weeks or longer for severe disease; endocarditis requires prolonged treatment (months to years to lifelong). A vaccine to prevent Q fever is commercially available but only in Australia. 