Q fever in the Milwaukee area. II. Consumption of infected raw milk by human volunteers.

Abstract

Thirty-four human volunteers consumed unpasteurized raw milk naturally infected with Coxiella burnetii under supervision for a period of one month in attempt to establish the role of oral consumption of infected raw milk on the transmission of Q fever. Serum samples were collected from each individual at the onset of the experiment, also one month and two months after initial ingestion. All serums were tested the complement-fixation test (CFT), the capillary agglutination test (CAT) and the radioisotope precipitin test. None of the 34 human volunteers developed any clinical symptoms or experienced any ill effects, as a result of this experience. Similarly, no detectable antibodies for Q fever could be demonstrated in these individuals.