Genomic and Proteomic Approaches Against Q Fever

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes a worldwide zoonotic disease, Qfever. The organism is an occupational hazard and can develop as an acute self-limiting illness or occasionally manifest as a chronic infection, with poor prognosis of resolution. The organism passively enters host cells via actin-based cytoskeletal reorganization and replicates in a parasitophorus vacuole with markers similar to typical phagolysosomes. Recent progress with genomic and proteomic technologies provide a variety of new research opportunities for understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the agent as well as developing diagnostic and vaccine strategies to respond to disease outbreaks. Review of host parasite interactions, insights provided by genomic analysis of the prototype isolate, Nine Mile, and immune response to infection and protective vaccination are included in this chapter. Additionally, new opportunities for research are highlighted.