Q Fever Subunit Vaccine

Abstract

Q fever is a globally important zoonotic infection caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Since C. burnetii is both an occupational hazard to humans interacting with naturally infected animals and a potential biothreat agent, a safe and effective vaccine is an important goal. Despite one being approved for use in Australia (Q-Vax®), this has not been licensed elsewhere due to complications with pre-sensitised individuals. As a result, research into developing a safe and effective vaccine against Q fever remains a priority in reducing the global impact this bacteria has on both livestock and human health. The goal of this project is to isolate and purify dominant antigenic Coxiella proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. These proteins will then be used as subunit vaccines that will be test the ability to confer protective immunity against Q fever in a mouse model large particle aerosol infection.