Sketchy Micro: Coxiella Burnetii

Question 1

Coxiella burnetii is Gram-___________.

Answer 1

negative (like the red hues of the inner barn)

Question 2

One of the best ways to distinguish C. burnetii from other zoonotic diseases (like Rickettsia and Borrelia) is ___________.

Answer 2

that Coxiella does not cause a rash

Sketchy made the ram pure white so as to make you remember that C. burnetii does not cause a rash.

Question 3

Coxiella causes ________ fever.

Answer 3

Q (like the Q-shaped horn)

Question 4

Coxiella is an obligate _______________.

Answer 4

intracellular

This fact is symbolized by the scene taking place inside a locked barn, meaning the animals can’t escape.

Question 5

How does Coxiella infect humans?

Answer 5

C. burnetii can form spores that survive the GI tract of animals. The spores can then be transmitted via respiratory droplets to the lungs of humans.

(Think of the bags of walnuts –symbolizing spores –next to the animal poop and the dust clouds being kicked up.)

Question 6

What are symptoms of Q fever?

Answer 6

• Pneumonia (farmer coughing)
• Fever (farmer sweating)
• Headache (farmer hitting his head on the rafter)
• Hepatitis (cow with liver spot)