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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Author Spotlight: Marmoset Research - Scope and Challenges
Published on: June 9, 2023
A Novel Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Model of Human Inhalational Q Fever
Michelle Nelson1, Francisco J Salguero2, Laura Hunter2
1CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Salisbury, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were shown to be susceptible to inhalational infection with Coxiella burnetii, in a dose-dependent manner, producing a disease similar to human Q fever, characterized by a resolving febrile response. Illness was also associated with weight loss, liver enzyme dysfunction, characteristic cellular activation, circulating INF-γ and bacteraemia. Viable C. burnetii was recovered from various tissues during disease and from 75% of the animal's lungs on 28 days post challenge, when there were no overt clinical features of disease but there was histological evidence of macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration into the lung resulting in granulomatous alveolitis. Taken together, these features of disease progression, physiology and bacterial spread appear to be consistent with human disease and therefore the common marmoset can be considered as a suitable model for studies on the pathogenesis or the development of medical counter measures of inhalational Q fever.
Insights
Common marmosets are susceptible to inhalational Coxiella burnetii infection, developing a Q fever-like illness. This makes them a suitable model for studying Q fever pathogenesis and developing medical countermeasures.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
- Pathogen Research
Background:
- Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii.
- Inhalational exposure is a primary route of human infection.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding Q fever pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the common marmoset as a model for inhalational Q fever.
- To characterize the disease progression and host response to Coxiella burnetii infection in marmosets.
Main Methods:
- Common marmosets were infected via inhalation with Coxiella burnetii.
- Disease signs, physiological parameters, and bacterial dissemination were monitored.
- Histopathological analysis of tissues, particularly lungs, was performed.
Main Results:
- Marmosets exhibited a dose-dependent, Q fever-like illness with febrile response, weight loss, and liver enzyme dysfunction.
- Cellular activation, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production, and bacteremia were observed.
- Coxiella burnetii was recovered from tissues, and lungs showed granulomatous alveolitis despite resolved clinical signs.
Conclusions:
- The common marmoset serves as a relevant model for inhalational Q fever.
- This model can be utilized for investigating Q fever pathogenesis.
- It is suitable for developing and testing medical countermeasures against Q fever.
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