Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Q fever
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Caused by Coxiella burnetii - Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium; replicates inside phagolysosomes
- Transmitted via inhalation of aerosolised birth products (placenta, amniotic fluid) from infected cattle, sheep, goats - as few as a single organism can cause infection
- Obligate intracellular location explains resistance to beta-lactams (cannot penetrate to intracellular compartment)
- Classified as a bioterrorism agent due to extreme environmental resistance and low infectious dose
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