[Q fever, a potential biowarfare agent].
SEVERAL POSSIBLE METHODS OF TRANSFUSION: Q fever is a zoonosis due to Coxiella burnetii. Its interest as a potential biowarfare agent is in its possible transmission by inhalation of sprayed particles. This form of transmission would probably be used: the inhalation of 1 to 10 bacteria could provoke the development of an infection in humans. Another possible method of transmission in the context of a terrorist act would be the intentional introduction of the bacteria into foodstuff. A DISABLING WEAPON: However, C. burnetii has never been used as a biological weapon. The probability that this germ could be used is very low: indeed, the incubation of Q fever is very long, and the majority of the infections is asymptomatic and mortality is low. In fact C. burnetii would more likely be used as a disabling weapon.
Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière Paris (75). philippe.bossi@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Philippe
P
Bossi
Amélie
A
Guihot
François
F
Bricaire
D000391:Air Microbiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023482:Bioterrorism; D016997:Coxiella burnetii; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011778:Q Fever / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D015996:Survival Rate
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents