In vivo endogenous spore formation by Coxiella burnetii in Q fever endocarditis.

AUTOR(ES)

McCaul, T F

RESUMO

AIMS--To determine whether Coxiella burnetii, the aetiological agent of Q fever, undergoes endogenous spore-like formation, the crucial stage of the developmental cycle, in the infected cardiac valves of patients with chronic Q fever endocarditis. METHODS--Surgically removed valves from three cases of Q fever endocarditis were processed for electron microscopy. Sections were stained with potassium permanganate and uranyl acetate before being extensively examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS--In all three cases endogenous spore-like formation was seen in the infected cardiac valves. CONCLUSIONS--As the factors that govern sporogenesis in C burnetii are still largely unknown, it is uncertain how important are the implications of the discovery of endogenous spore-like formation in Q fever endocarditis. However, this finding may add new dimensions to current thinking about the treatment of chronic Q fever.

Documentos Relacionados

• Isolation of Coxiella burnetii from heart valves of patients treated for Q fever endocarditis.
• Q fever endocarditis.
• Chronic Q fever endocarditis.
• Coxiella burnetii Survives in Monocytes from Patients with Q Fever Endocarditis: Involvement of Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii in the Sera of Patients with Q Fever Endocarditis or Vascular Infection