Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Q fever
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise q fever — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
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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