Metabolic Sequelae of Respiratory Q Fever in the Guinea Pig 1

Abstract

Summary

Guinea pigs infected with Coxiella burnetii administered in small particle aerosols provides a model for naturally acquired respiratory Q fever. Increases in plasma copper and seromucoid concentrations and in lysozyme activity along with a decrease in plasma zinc paralleled increases in body temperature, spleen and lung weights, and the development of lesions. Circumstantial evidence indicates that these metabolic alterations may be related to the interaction between pulmonary macrophages and the parasite. These metabolic sequelae thus may have prognostic value in that they appear related to the disease process and are less likely to be obscured than fever or rickettsemia.