Open AccessDeveloping a new clinical tool for diagnosing chronic Q fever: the C oxiella ELISPOT
Author(s) -
Limonard Gijs J.M.,
Thijsen Steven F.,
Bossink Aik W.,
Asscheman Anita,
Bouwman John J.M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00890.x
Subject(s) - coxiella burnetii , q fever , elispot , serology , immunology , virology , antigen , medicine , biology , antibody , cd8
Definitively establishing a clinical diagnosis of chronic Q fever remains challenging, as the diagnostic performance of both conventional serological tests and PCR is limited. Given the importance of an early diagnosis of chronic Q fever, there is a need for a reliable diagnostic test. We developed an enzyme‐linked immunospot assay to measure C oxiella burnetii ( C . burnetii )‐specific T ‐cell responses ( C oxiella ELISPOT ) to both phase I and phase II antigens and tested convalescent Q fever patients (without chronic disease, n = 9) and patients with an established diagnosis of chronic Q fever ( n = 3). The C oxiella ELISPOT adequately identified convalescent Q fever patients from healthy controls by demonstrating C . burnetii‐ specific T ‐cell interferon‐γ production to both phase I and phase II antigens. Compared to convalescent Q fever patients, chronic Q fever patients showed a distinct C oxiella ELISPOT profile characterized by a much higher spot count for both phase I and phase II (18‐fold for phase II , 8‐fold higher for phase I ) and a consistent shift towards more phase I reactivity. The diagnostic potential of the C oxiella ELISPOT is promising and warrants further investigation.