Diagnosis thumbnail|Q fever management algorithm from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diagnosis is usually based on serology (looking for an antibody response) rather than looking for the organism itself. Serology allows the detection of chronic infection by the appearance of high levels of the antibody against the virulent form of the bacterium. Molecular detection of bacterial DNA is increasingly used. Contrary to most obligate intracellular parasites, Coxiella burnetii can be grown in an axenic culture, but its culture is technically difficult and not routinely available in most microbiology laboratories.
Diagnosis thumbnail|Q fever management algorithm from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diagnosis is usually based on serology (looking for an antibody response) rather than looking for the organism itself Serology allows the detection of chronic infection by the appearance of high levels of the antibody against the virulent form of the bacterium Molecular detection of bacterial DNA is increasingly used Contrary to most obligate intracellular parasites Coxiella burnetii can be grown in an axenic culture but its culture is technically difficult and not routinely available in most microbiology laboratories