[Pathologo-anatomic and experimental study of the morphology of Q-fever]

The article presents a survey of the literature containing reports on lesions of some human organs in Q-fever and on a possible role of the pathogene--Rickettsia burnetii in the development of these lesions. Pathoanatomical findings were compared with those of the experimental investigations of the Q-rickettsial infectious process. The literature data and the author's own investigations confirm the capability of Rickettsia burnetii of parasitizing in cells of the reticulo-endothelial system. This is an important factor in the pathogenicity of this causative agent and lies at the root of the pathogenesis of Q-rickettsial infection.