Coxiella

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Coxiella (family Rickettsiaceae) A genus of bacteria which are parasitic inside the cells of vertebrate or arthropod hosts. The cells are pleomorphic, non-motile rods. There is one species, C. burnetii. This is the causal agent of Q fever in humans. The organism is resistant to adverse environmental conditions, e.g. high temperatures and desiccation, and can often survive pasteurization.

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