Survival of Coxiella burnetii within free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii

Objective To determine whether Coxiella burnetii is able to survive within free-living ameoba. Methods When C. burnetii was co-cultured with the free-living amoeba species Acanthamoeba castellanii. Results Viable bacteria were detected for 18 days. Microscopic studies confirmed the presence of bacteria within vacuoles, some of which appeared to be spore-like forms. Conclusion These results indicate that free-living amoebae could provide an intracellular niche for the spore formation and survival of C. burnetii in the environment.