Caprine-associated Q fever in Newfoundland.

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular pathogen known to be the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonosis with a worldwide occurrence. The most common reservoirs for infection in humans are domestic farm animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep. Although C. burnetii can cause abortion and still birth, most animals have a persistent, relatively asymptomatic subclinical infection. Infection in humans usually manifests as a self-limiting febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis.