Serology in chronic Q fever is still surrounded by question marks

M.C.A. Wegdam-Blans*, H.T. Tjhie, J.M. Korbeeck, M.N. Nabuurs-Franssen, L.M. Kampschreur, T. Sprong, J.A.W. Teijink, M.P. Koopmans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Detection of antibodies using immunofluoresence tests (IFAT) is recommended for diagnosis of chronic Q fever, but other commercial antibody assays are also available. We compared an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Virion/Serion) and a complement fixation test (CFT) (Virion/Serion) for the detection of Coxiella burnetii IgG phase I and IgA phase I in early- and follow-up serum samples from patients with chronic Q fever, diagnosed according to an algorithm that involves IFAT. For this, we tested sera of 49 patients, including 30 proven, 14 probable and five possible chronic Q fever cases. Sensitivity of CFT for diagnosis of chronic Q fever was suboptimal (85 %), as eight patients, including five with chronic Q fever, tested negative at time of diagnosis, whereas IgG phase I antibodies were detected in these five patients by ELISA. Sensitivity of ELISA was higher, although three probable patients were missed. No differences in ELISA IgA phase I detection between proven chronic Q fever and probable were observed; instead possible patients were in majority IgA negative (60 %). Serological examination using ELISA and CFT in follow-up sera from 26 patients on treatment was unsatisfactory. Like IFAT, all kinetic options were possible: decreasing, remaining stable or even increase during time. This study demonstrated that the sensitivity of CFT-based phase I antibody detection is low and therefore not recommended for diagnosis of chronic Q fever. Based on our results, serological follow-up to guide treatment decisions was of limited value.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1089-1094
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Volume33
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY
  • FOLLOW-UP
  • COXIELLA-BURNETII
  • IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G
  • ENDOCARDITIS
  • DIAGNOSIS
  • ANTIBODIES
  • INFECTION
  • HUMANS
  • TESTS

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