Question

Which of the following statements is true of Q fever?
a. For many years its cause was questionable.
b. It was first described in 1976 during an outbreak in Quincy, Massachusetts.
c. Researchers found it could be effectively treated with quinine.
d. The sharp spikes of fever on patients' temperature charts resemble porcupine quills.

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Understand what Q fever is. Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which is an obligate intracellular pathogen. It primarily affects animals but can be transmitted to humans, often through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Step 2: Analyze each statement in the question carefully. Statement (a) says that for many years its cause was questionable. Historically, Q fever was indeed a mysterious disease before the causative agent was identified, so this statement might be true. Step 3: Consider statement (b), which claims Q fever was first described in 1976 during an outbreak in Quincy, Massachusetts. Recall that the name 'Q fever' comes from 'Query fever' because the cause was unknown when first described in the 1930s, also in Quincy, Massachusetts, but not in 1976. So the date is likely incorrect. Step 4: Evaluate statement (c), which says it could be effectively treated with quinine. Quinine is an antimalarial drug and is not used to treat Q fever. Instead, antibiotics like doxycycline are effective, so this statement is false. Step 5: Review statement (d), which mentions sharp spikes of fever resembling porcupine quills. This description is more characteristic of relapsing fever caused by Borrelia species, not Q fever. Therefore, this statement is also false.

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Key Concepts

Etiology and History of Q Fever

Clinical Presentation of Q Fever

Treatment of Q Fever