False colour transmission electron micrograph of Coxiella burnetti growing in a placental cell. C. burnetti is an organism that lies between the bacteria and viruses. It is the cause of an highly infectious influenza-like illness with pneumonic consolidation named Q fever. It is transmitted to humans via sheep, goats & cattle. Human infection is by inhalation of dust or droplets contaminated from the excreta or other products of infected animals, or by ingestion of infected milk. The organism survives desiccation & is heat resistant. A complication of Q fever is chronic endocarditis. Magnification: x1,875 at 35mm size. Yellow tint