Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Q fever can be considered the most infectious disease in the world, as a human being can be infected by a single bacterium of Coxiella burnetii. First described in abattoir workers in Brisbane, the disease can be found worldwide and, although uncommon, may be found in cattle, sheep, goats and domestic mammals. Infection results from inhalation of contaminated particles in the air, or from contact with the milk, urine, faeces, vaginal mucus, or semen of infected animals. Coxiella cannot be cultured easily as it is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Control of the disease is by means of vaccination of risk groups, which includes anyone working with livestock.
Recently our group was approached by Clive Paige (Principal Environmental Health Scientist, Environmental Health Policy and Research Unit, Queensland Health) with concerns about property developers turning former livestock grazing land into housing estates. The particular concern was whether Coxiella burnetii was able to survive in the soil and from there be distributed by aerosol means when the soil was disturbed. As potential home-owners are unlikely to be vaccinated against Q-fever, this could be a serious issue with future litigation being a possible outcome.
Due to the difficulty in culturing this organism, we propose the development of a molecular method for analysis of soil samples from appropriate sites, including those currently being used for livestock and former farmlands. The analysis will be based on PCR/HRM methodology available in our laboratory. We will also artificially disturb the soil samples in order to general aerosols from them, and test the air for presence of Coxiella DNA.
Hypothesis: That Coxiella burnetii may be detected by molecular analysis of former grazing soil and in aerosols associated with disturbance of the soil.
Aim 1: Develop PCR/HRM method to detect Coxiella burnetii in environmental samples
Aim 2: Test soil from current and former livestock grazing areas for Coxiella burnetii
Aim 3: Generate aerosols in a closed environment, and sample for Coxiella burnetii
Methods and techniques that will be developed in the course of this project:
- Extraction of bacterial DNA directly from environmental sources
- Real-Time PCR, HRM coupled methods
- Bioaerosol generation and collection for molecular analysis
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Associate Professor Flavia Huygens
Adjunct Associate Professor Megan Hargreaves
