From Q Fever to Coxiella burnetii Infection: a Paradigm Change.

摘要: Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever, or ``query fever,'' a zoonosis first described in Australia 1937. Since this description, knowledge about pathogen and its associated infections has increased dramatically. We review here all progress made over last 20 years on topic. C. classically strict intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium. However, major step characterization was achieved by establishment axenic culture. infects wide range animals, from arthropods to humans. The genetic determinants virulence are now better known, thanks achievement determining genome sequences several strains species comparative genomic analyses. fever can be found worldwide, but epidemiological features disease vary according geographic area considered, including situations where it endemic hyperendemic, occurrence large epidemic outbreaks. In recent years, breakthrough understanding natural history human infection with breaking old dichotomy between ``acute'' ``chronic'' fever. clinical presentation depends both infecting strain specific risks factors infected patient. Moreover, no persistent exist without focus infection. This paradigm change should allow diagnosis management primary long-term complications patients