Q fever is caused by which organism?

Q fever is caused by which organism?

• A. Borrelia burgdorferi
• B. Coxiella burnetii
• C. Chlamydia trachomatis
• D. Rickettsia rickettsii

Answer: (B)

Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a small Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that can form spore-like structures and persist in the environment. Humans typically acquire it by inhaling aerosols from infected livestock such as cattle, sheep, or goats. The illness can present as a nonspecific febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis, and chronic infection can lead to endocarditis in people with preexisting heart valve disease. The other organisms listed cause different diseases—Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease, Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydial infections, and Rickettsia rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Coxiella burnetii is the organism uniquely associated with Q fever.

Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, a small Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that can form spore-like structures and persist in the environment. Humans typically acquire it by inhaling aerosols from infected livestock such as cattle, sheep, or goats. The illness can present as a nonspecific febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis, and chronic infection can lead to endocarditis in people with preexisting heart valve disease. The other organisms listed cause different diseases—Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease, Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydial infections, and Rickettsia rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Coxiella burnetii is the organism uniquely associated with Q fever.