# Q fever transmission mediated by ticks

**Authors:** Francisco Tejerina, Mercedes Marín, José A. Oteo, Pablo Martin-Rabadán, Patricia Muñoz, Leire Pérez, Teresa Aldámiz, Chiara Fanciulli, Cristina Diez, Paula Santibáñez, Aránzazu Portillo

PMC · DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2025.2572680 · Emerging Microbes & Infections · 2025-10-08

## TL;DR

A patient developed Q fever after a tick bite, and genetic analysis confirmed the tick transmitted the infection.

## Contribution

Demonstrates direct transmission of Q fever by Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks through genetic evidence.

## Key findings

- A patient's blood and a tick showed identical Coxiella burnetii sequences.
- The tick species Hyalomma lusitanicum was identified as the vector for Q fever transmission.

## Abstract

We report a patient diagnosed with Q fever who developed an acute hepatitis after tick exposure. Sequence analysis of PCR fragments from the patient´s blood and the tick from the patient (Hyalomma lusitanicum) showed homologous (100% identity) Coxiella burnetii sequences, suggesting direct Q fever transmission by a H. lusitanicum tick.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Q fever (MONDO:0019186), acute hepatitis (MONDO:0002251)
- **Species:** Hyalomma lusitanicum (taxon 49205)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** hepatitis (MESH:D056486), Q fever (MESH:D011778)
- **Species:** Hyalomma lusitanicum (species) [taxon 49205], Ixodida (ticks, order) [taxon 6935], Coxiella burnetii (species) [taxon 777], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## References

15 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12536617/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12536617