Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever) Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one manifestation of acute Qfever followinginfection with Coxiella burnetii. Fever, headache, and myalgia dominate the clinical picture of Qfever pneumonia. Cough is nonproductive and may be absent despite the presence of pneumonia. While in most instances pneumonia results in an illness of mild-to-moderate severity, on occasion it is rapidly progressive and results in respiratory failure. Infection occurs as a result of inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Infected cattle, sheep, and goats are the usual reservoirs for this zoonosis. In some areas, infected parturient cats serve as the reservoir, and in such instances, rounded opacities are seen on the chest radiograph. The diagnosis of C. burnetii pneumonia is usually confirmed by demonstration of a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer. Treatment is usually with a tetracycline or rifampin for 7 to 10 days. Coxiella burnetii is a respiratory pathogen that causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations. In some countries in which Q fever is endemic, C. burnetii pneumonia is rarely seen, whereas in others, it is the major manifestation of this infection