A rickettsial organism which causes Q (Query) Fever, a zoonotic infection of particular importance to farmers, veterinarians and abattoir workers.
n. a genus of rickettsiae that cause disease in animals and humans. They are transmitted to humans by inhalation and produce disease characterized by inflammation of the lungs, without a rash (compare typhus). The single species, C. burnetii, causes *Q fever.... coxiella
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