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Review
. 2013 Jul;15(7):573-5.
doi: 10.1177/1098612X13489216.

Coxiellosis/Q fever in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

Herman Egberink  1 , Diane Addie, Sándor Belák, Corine Boucraut-Baralon, Tadeusz Frymus, Tim Gruffydd-Jones, Katrin Hartmann, Margaret J Hosie, Albert Lloret, Hans Lutz, Fulvio Marsilio, Karin Möstl, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Alan D Radford, Etienne Thiry, Uwe Truyen, Marian C Horzinek
Affiliations
Review

Coxiellosis/Q fever in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

Herman Egberink et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Overview: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Farm animals and pets are the main reservoirs of infection.

Infection: Cats become infected by ingestion or inhalation of organisms from contaminated carcases of farm animals, or tick bites. Infection is common, as shown by several serological studies.

Clinical signs: Experimentally, fever, anorexia and lethargy have been noted. In the field, infection usually remains subclinical. Abortion might occur. C burnetii has been isolated from the placenta of aborting cats, but also from cats experiencing normal parturition.

Diagnosis: Infection with C burnetii can be diagnosed by isolation of the agent or serology.

Prevention: Most important is the potential zoonotic risk. Cats suspected of having been exposed to C burnetii might shed organisms during parturition. Wearing gloves and a mask when attending parturient or aborting cats can minimise the risk of infection. Tick prevention is recommended.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors do not have any potential conflicts of interest to declare.

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