Q fever antibodies - serum
Last updated: Sunday, 28, May, 2006
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Specimen: 5-10 mL blood in plain tube at onset and 2-3 weeks after onset of illness. The request form should indicate the purpose of the testing (eg, pre-vaccination screening, possible acute infection or chronic Q fever infection, since different tests are used for each of these). |
| Method | CFT, IFA, EIA. |
| Application | Diagnosis of suspected Q fever, atypical pneumonia, hepatitis of unknown cause or blood culture-negative endocarditis. Occupational health screening of abattoir and livestock workers at commencement of employment or after vaccination. If chronic Q fever is suspected (eg, endocarditis) antibodies to phase I antigen should be specifically requested. |
| Interpretation | Infection with Coxiella burnetii stimulates antibodies to both phase I and phase II antigens. In acute Q fever, antibodies to phase II antigen are detectable 1-2 weeks after onset of the illness and peak between 4 and 12 weeks. Recent infection is confirmed by a four fold rise in titre or a positive IgM test. A single CFT titre of >8 for antibodies to phase II antigen indicates past infection. Antibodies to phase I antigen are only present in significant titre in chronic Q fever (eg, endocarditis or granulomatous liver disease). |
| Reference | Maurin M and Raoult D. Clin Microbiol Rev 1999; 12: 518-553. Field PR et al. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40: 3526-3529. |