Table 1.

Antimicrobials used for Q fever

Drug	In vitro effect on C. burnetii	Acute Q fever treatment	Chronic Q fever treatment	Antimicrobial effect	FDA Pregnancy category
Doxycycline	Low MIC1	Most effective treatment	Most effective in combination with hydroxychloroquine	Bactericidal above pH 5.5	D
Co-trimoxazole	Low MIC	Recommended for pregnant women and children <8 yrs	Mixed results	Bactericidal	C
Quinolones	Low MIC	Can be effective	Used with doxycycline prior to 1999, but relapses were common	Bactericidal above pH 5.5	C
Rifampin	Low MIC	Limited data	Used with doxycycline prior to 1999, but relapses were common	Bacteriostatic	C
Macrolides	Mixed results	Some examples of rapid defervescence	Limited data	Bacteriostatic	B or C

¹minimal inhibitory concentration