Genetics of Coxiella burnetii: on the path of specialization. (November 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minnick, Michael F; Raghavan, Rahul
• Is Part Of: Future microbiology. Volume 6:Number 11(2011)
• Page Start: 1297
• Page End: 1314
• Publication Date: 2011-11
• Subjects: ▪▪ -- chromosome -- Coxiella -- genome reduction -- genomics -- genotype -- plasmids -- Q fever -- selfish genetic elements; Microbiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb.11.116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0913

Abstract

Coxiella burnetii is an extremely infectious, zoonotic agent that causes Q fever in humans. With the exception of New Zealand, the bacterium is distributed worldwide. Coxiella is classified as a select agent based on its past and potential use as a bioweapon and its threat to public health. Despite decades of research, we know relatively little regarding Coxiella ''s molecular pathogenesis, and a vaccine is not widely available. This article briefly reviews the unusual genetics of C. burnetii ; a pathogen that retains telltale genetic mementos collected over the course of its evolutionary path from a free-living bacterium to an obligate intracellular parasite of eukaryotic host cell phagosomes. Understanding why these genetic elements are maintained may help us better understand the biology of this fascinating pathogen.