Q Fever: Still more queries than answers

Abstract

Q fever is an ubiquitous zoonosis that is caused by Coxiella burnetii. Infection occurs through inhalation of infected aerosols. The main reservoir is dairy cattle. Although understanding of the disease is growing, many questions, including those about optimal treatment, still remain. There are few reports of Q fever in children, although seroepidemiological data suggest that they are often exposed to C. burnetii. Clinical presentation of acute and chronic Q fever seems to be different in children and adults. We present an overview of the epidemiological and clinical features of Q fever, with emphasis on paediatric cases. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.