IN-VIVO ENDOGENOUS SPORE FORMATION BY COXIELLA-BURNETII IN Q-FEVER ENDOCARDITIS

Aims-To determine whether Coxiella burnetii, the aetiological agent of Q fever, undergoes endogenous spore-like formation, the crucial stage of the developmental cycle, in the infected cardiac valves of patient s with chronic Q fever endocarditis. Methods-Surgically removed valves fi om three cases of Q fever endocarditis were processed for electron microscopy. Sections were stained with potassium permanganate and ura nyl acetate before being extensively examined by transmission electron microscopy. Results-In all three cases endogenous spore-like formatio n was seen in the infected cardiac valves. Conclusions-As the factors that govern sporogenesis in C burnetii are still largely unknown, it i s uncertain how important are the implications of the discovery of end ogenous spare-like formation in Q fever endocarditis. However, this fi nding may add new dimensions to current thinking about the treatment o f chronic Q fever.