Coxiella (bacterium)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Coxiella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coxiella burnetii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Legionellales |
| Family: | Coxiellaceae |
| Genus: | Coxiella (Philip 1943) Philip 1948[1] |
| Type species | |
| Coxiella burnetii[1] | |
| Species | |
Coxiella refers to a genus of Gram-negative bacteria in the family Coxiellaceae. It is named after Herald Rea Cox (1907–1986), an American bacteriologist. It is part of the Gammaproteobacteria.[2]
Coxiella burnetii is the best known member of this genus. It is an intracellular parasite and it survives within the phagolysosomes of its host. It causes Q fever.
The majority of Coxiella’s described members are non pathogenic forms which are often found in ticks.[3] Approximately two-thirds of tick species harbour Coxiella-like endosymbionts required for tick survival and reproduction. Genomes of Coxiella-like endosymbionts encode pathways for the biosynthesis of major B vitamins and co-factors that fit closely with the expected nutritional complements required for strict haematophagy.[4] The experimental elimination of Coxiella-like endosymbionts typically results in decreased tick survival, molting, fecundity and egg viability, as well as in physical abnormalities.[4] Coxiella-like endosymbionts are often misidentified as Coxiella burnetii; however, Coxiella-like endosymbionts lack virulence genes and cannot infect humans.[5]