Q fever

- zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetti
- this organism is very resistant to drying and inhaled from infected dust
- cattle, sheep and goats are primary reservoir
- sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, malaise, confusion, sore throat, chills, sweat, non productive cough, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and chest pain
- a cause of culture negative endocarditis
- majority has abnormal liver function test 
-  diagnosis: serology for Coxiella burnetti or complement fixation 
- treatment: doxycycline