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Fiebre Q - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Fiebre de Query

Definición:

Es una infección bacteriana que puede afectar los pulmones, el hígado, el corazón y otras partes del cuerpo.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La fiebre Q se encuentra en todo el mundo y es causada por la bacteria Coxiella burnetii. La bacteria afecta ovejas, cabras, vacas, gatos, pájaros, roedores y garrapatas, al igual que algunos otros animales. Los animales infectados esparcen esta bacteria en:

  • Los productos del parto
  • Los excrementos
  • La leche
  • La orina

Generalmente, los humanos adquieren la fiebre Q al inhalar gotitas contaminadas expulsadas por los animales infectados. El consumo de leche cruda ha causado la infección en pocos casos. Las personas que se encuentran en un riesgo más alto de contraer la enfermedad son:

  • Los granjeros
  • Los empleados de laboratorios que trabajan con la bacteria Coxiella burnetii
  • Quienes trabajan con ganado bovino y lácteos
  • Veterinarios

La fiebre Q crónica se manifiesta en individuos que han estado infectados durante más de seis meses.

Entre las personas que se encuentran en un riesgo más alto de contraer la enfermedad están aquéllas con problemas en las válvulas del corazón o sistemas inmunitarios debilitados.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/23/2010
  • David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Referencias

Marrie TJ, Raoult D. Coxiella burnetii (Q fever). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 189.

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