Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
The Development of Lyophilized Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Reagents for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii
Published on: April 18, 2016
Minimizing the risk of Q fever in the hospital setting
Abstract:
Q fever is caused by a rickettsial microorganism (Coxiella burnetii) harboured in sheep. The highest concentration of organisms are found in birth products. It is a very contagious organism which humans can contract by inhaling aerosolized organisms. Most commonly it leads to an acute 'flu-like illness. Rarely, chronic disease with endocarditis is fatal. Infected patients should be treated with tetracyclines or chloramphenicol. A number of outbreaks have been reported in hospital and research settings. Because of the fear of patients and staff contracting Q fever, Hospital Research Review Boards have increasingly resisted the presence of sheep in medical facilities. The authors have reviewed the circumstances leading to these outbreaks and believe researchers can minimize the risk of Q fever. The most important precautions are to use sheep only from Q fever controlled flocks and, depending on the nature of the research, only male sheep.
Insights
Q fever, a contagious illness caused by Coxiella burnetii, can be contracted from sheep. Researchers can minimize risks by using sheep from controlled flocks and selecting males for research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, primarily harbored in sheep, with birth products containing the highest concentration of the organism.
- Transmission to humans occurs through inhalation of aerosolized Coxiella burnetii.
- Outbreaks have been reported in healthcare and research settings, leading to increased restrictions on sheep presence in medical facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review circumstances leading to Q fever outbreaks in research settings.
- To identify strategies for minimizing Q fever transmission risks associated with sheep in medical facilities.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported Q fever outbreaks in hospital and research settings.
- Analysis of risk factors and transmission routes.
- Identification of preventive measures.
Main Results:
- Sheep birth products are a primary source of Coxiella burnetii.
- Inhalation of aerosolized organisms is the main transmission route to humans.
- Specific precautions can significantly minimize Q fever risks.
Conclusions:
- Researchers can safely conduct studies involving sheep by implementing stringent control measures.
- Key precautions include sourcing sheep from Q fever-controlled flocks and utilizing male sheep when appropriate.
- Proactive risk management can mitigate the fear and restrictions associated with sheep in medical research environments.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:22Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.