Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), the bacterium that causes Q fever, gets transmitted by inhalation and remains extremely stable in the environment. It has a very low infectious dose (very few bacteria can cause illness), making it a potential agent for bioterrorism. These factors have led to inclusion of C. burnetii on the Health and Human Services list of Select Agents. Cattle, sheep, and goats commonly get infected with C. burnetii. People, especially those who handle farm animals, can become exposed to C. burnetii by breathing in dust contaminated from infected animal body fluids.
- Antibody
- Platform
The CDC Technology Transfer Office (TTO) seeks statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize: Monoclonal Antibodies Against Coxiella burnetii, the Cause of Q Fever for Diagnostic Development. For collaboration opportunities, please contact CDC TTO at tto@cdc.gov or 1-404-639-1330.
- Antibodies allow definitive detection and differentiation of different phase variants of the bacterium
- Potential for use in antibody arrays as a rapid screen for surveillance of pathogens or outbreak investigations
- Currently, there are no antibodies specific for C. burnetii available for purchase in the U.S. market
Monitoring
(Public Health/Counterfeit Detection/Biological)
- Diagnostic tests to confirm C. burnetii in human and veterinary samples
- Immunohistochemistry assays
- Companion diagnostic
- Biodefense
- Public health monitoring, surveillance, and outbreak investigations
- Quality control in clinical and diagnostic tests for Q fever
- Research tools
