Monoclonal Antibodies Against Coxiella burnetii, the Cause of Q Fever for Diagnostic Development

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), the bacterium that causes Q fever, gets transmitted by inhalation and remains extremely stable in the environment. It has a very low infectious dose (very few bacteria can cause illness), making it a potential agent for bioterrorism. These factors have led to inclusion of C. burnetii on the Health and Human Services list of Select Agents. Cattle, sheep, and goats commonly get infected with C. burnetii. People, especially those who handle farm animals, can become exposed to C. burnetii by breathing in dust contaminated from infected animal body fluids. The bacterium can exist in two antigenic phases. Phase I can replicate in healthy animals and is infectious for humans. Infection with Phase 1 C. burnetii can result in acute or chronic Q fever. Acute Q fever is a flu-like illness that can result in pneumonia or hepatitis. Chronic Q fever is a more serious disease which usually presents as endocarditis or vascular infection. Culture of C. burnetii in the laboratory can result in Phase II organisms. The Phase II variants cause little to no illness in animal models but can be useful for detection of antibodies in humans or animals infected with Phase I. C. burnetii infection in pregnant women may also result in abortions, premature deliveries, and stillbirths. Diagnosis of Q fever relies on serologic tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of whole blood or serum, and examination of tissue by culture or immunohistochemistry (IHC).CDC resear...

Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - February 19, 2021 Category: Research Authors: ott-admin Source Type: research