Coxiella burnetii Infection

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an important zoonotic disease in humans that is usually acquired through contact with ruminants. Coxiella burnetii infec­tion has been documented in C.B-17-scid/beige mice that received fetal bovine xenografts. Mice developed multi­focal necrotizing hepatitis with Kupffer cell hyperplasia, Ito cell hyperplasia, and sinusoidal neutrophil and mac­rophage infiltration. Basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions (organisms) were present in Kupffer cells and macro­phages. Other organs were also variably infected.