Coxiella

A genus of filterable bacteria (order Rickettsiales) containing small, pleomorphic, rod-shaped or coccoid, Gram-negative cells that occur intracellularly in the cytoplasm of infected cells and possibly extracellularly in infected ticks. These organisms have not been cultivated in cell-free media; they are parasitic on humans and other animals; type species is C. burnetii.

- C. burnetii a bacterial species that causes Q fever in humans; it is more resistant than other rickettsiae and may be passed via aerosols as well as living vectors. Acute pneumonia and chronic endocarditis are also associated with this species. The type species of the genus C..

* * *

Cox·i·el·la .käk-sē-'el-ə n a genus of small pleomorphic rickettsial bacteria occurring intercellularly in ticks and intracellularly in the cytoplasm of vertebrates and including the causative organism (C. burnetii) of Q fever

Cox 'käks Herald Rea (b 1907)

American bacteriologist. Cox's areas of research include neurotropic virus diseases, rickettsial diseases, virus infections, and vaccines. In 1937 Frank MacFarlane Burnet, an Australian physician, reported his discovery with Mavis Freeman of the causative organism of Q fever. At about the same time Cox isolated this causative agent. The genus Coxiella of bacteria created to contain the rickettsial agent (Coxiella burnetii) was named after Cox and the species after Burnet.

* * *

n.

a genus of rickettsiae that cause disease in animals and humans. They are transmitted to humans by inhalation and produce disease characterized by inflammation of the lungs, without a rash (compare typhus). The single species, C. burnetii, causes Q fever.

* * *

Cox·i·el·la (kok″se-elґə) [Herald Rae Cox, American bacteriologist, 1907–1986] a genus of bacteria of the family Coxiellaceae, consisting of gram-negative rods without flagella or a capsule, occurring only in the vacuoles of host cells. The organisms are found worldwide in ticks and various vertebrates; infection is particularly prevalent in cattle, sheep, and goats. The type species is Coxiella burneґtii.