TITLE:
Epidemiology, Aetiology, Mode of Transmission and Pathogenicity of Coxiella burnetii: A Review
AUTHORS:
Arfiya Fatima, Ravi Kant Upadhyay
KEYWORDS:
Q Fever, Febrile Illness, C. burnetii, Brucella, Diagnosis, AES
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.15 No.3,
August
5,
2025
ABSTRACT: This review article describes the severity of Q fever zoonotic infection, including its epidemiological pattern and the reasons for its outbreaks. This paper highlighted the transmission routes of bacteria. It spreads through aerosol particles, mosquito bites, and exposure to domestic animals. Bacteria are also spread with animal products, such as unpasteurized milk. In India, cases of Q fever have been reported from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu. C. burnetii exhibits a biphasic developmental cycle. This article explains the invasion of host cells by C. burnetii and its interaction with specific receptors, with different internalization pathways observed in phases I and II. It sketches out the interaction of C. burnetii with immune cells and their defense mechanisms. Continuous screening using modern diagnostic tools is crucial for identifying C. burnetii strains in endemic regions, thereby mitigating the pathogenesis and lethality caused by this pathogen. The present review also includes diagnostic methods used for identifying bacteria in blood and tissues.