Q fever, a neglected zoonotic disease in Nigeria- a review

Abstract

Q fever still remains a neglected zoonotic disease in several developing countries including Nigeria. The aetiologic agent Coxiella burnetii is a resistant intracellular bacterium which causes long-lasting infections in both human and animals. The infection is usually asymptomatic in animals but can affect reproduction such as abortion in animal herds resulting in the disease mostly remaining undiagnosed leading to economic consequences. In humans, the infection can lead to severe endocarditis and vascular infection in chronic cases. Data is still limited on the molecular epidemiology such as genomic studies and evolution of this pathogen especially in humans and this has to be explored. Awareness programs on the public health importance of this disease, it’s preventive and control measures in Nigeria would help in Q fever management.