Biomaterial Database

Antibody responses in acute and chronic Q fever and in subjects vaccinated against Q fever. 1985

D Worswick, and B P Marmion

An analysis is made of the antibody response to Coxiella burnettii Phase-1 and Phase-2 antigens, as measured by immunofluorescence in the IgM, IgG or IgA immunoglobulin classes, or by complement-fixation, in patients with acute and chronic Q fever and in vaccinated or skin-tested subjects. In acute (primary) Q fever, IgM specific antibodies to Phase-1 antigen are present in early convalescence together with IgM, IgG, IgA and CF antibodies to Phase-2 antigen. IgM specific antibody may persist for at least 678 days after onset of the acute illness. Patients with chronic Q fever have no IgM specific antibody to Phase-1 or -2 antigens, or only at very low levels; high levels of specific antibody in the IgG and IgA classes, together with CF antibody to both antigenic phases, appear to be characteristic. The serological response in initially seronegative, vaccinated subjects is mainly to Phase-1 antigen in the IgM fraction, and to a lesser degree to Phase-2 antigen by CF and in IgM and IgG classes. Subjects who were equivocally seropositive before vaccination showed IgA and IgG specific antibody responses to Phase-1 antigen and CF and IgG class responses to Phase-2 antigen. Similar antibody profiles were observed in patients who seroconverted after a positive skin-test. Data are also presented on the suitability of C. burnettii antigens for use in immunofluorescence and on the binding of IgM specific antibody by Phase-1 antigen but its failure to fix complement.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007136	Immunoglobulins	Multi-subunit proteins which function in IMMUNITY. They are produced by B LYMPHOCYTES from the IMMUNOGLOBULIN GENES. They are comprised of two heavy (IMMUNOGLOBULIN HEAVY CHAINS) and two light chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) with additional ancillary polypeptide chains depending on their isoforms. The variety of isoforms include monomeric or polymeric forms, and transmembrane forms (B-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTORS) or secreted forms (ANTIBODIES). They are divided by the amino acid sequence of their heavy chains into five classes (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A; IMMUNOGLOBULIN D; IMMUNOGLOBULIN E; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; IMMUNOGLOBULIN M) and various subclasses.	Globulins, Immune,Immune Globulin,Immune Globulins,Immunoglobulin,Globulin, Immune
D011778	Q Fever	An acute infectious disease caused by COXIELLA BURNETII. It is characterized by a sudden onset of FEVER; HEADACHE; malaise; and weakness. In humans, it is commonly contracted by inhalation of infected dusts derived from infected domestic animals (ANIMALS, DOMESTIC).	Coxiella burnetii Fever,Query Fever,Acute Q Fever,Chronic Q Fever,Coxiella burnetii Infection,Coxiella burnetii Vector-Borne Disease,Acute Q Fevers,Chronic Q Fevers,Coxiella burnetii Fevers,Coxiella burnetii Infections,Coxiella burnetii Vector Borne Disease,Fever, Acute Q,Fever, Chronic Q,Fever, Coxiella burnetii,Fever, Q,Fever, Query,Fevers, Acute Q,Fevers, Chronic Q,Fevers, Coxiella burnetii,Fevers, Q,Fevers, Query,Infection, Coxiella burnetii,Infections, Coxiella burnetii,Q Fever, Acute,Q Fever, Chronic,Q Fevers,Q Fevers, Acute,Q Fevers, Chronic,Query Fevers
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D003168	Complement Fixation Tests	Serologic tests based on inactivation of complement by the antigen-antibody complex (stage 1). Binding of free complement can be visualized by addition of a second antigen-antibody system such as red cells and appropriate red cell antibody (hemolysin) requiring complement for its completion (stage 2). Failure of the red cells to lyse indicates that a specific antigen-antibody reaction has taken place in stage 1. If red cells lyse, free complement is present indicating no antigen-antibody reaction occurred in stage 1.	Complement Absorption Test, Conglutinating,Conglutination Reaction,Conglutinating Complement Absorption Test,Complement Fixation Test,Conglutination Reactions,Fixation Test, Complement,Fixation Tests, Complement,Reaction, Conglutination,Reactions, Conglutination,Test, Complement Fixation,Tests, Complement Fixation
D003289	Convalescence	The period of recovery following an illness.	Convalescences
D003381	Coxiella	A genus of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that is widely distributed in TICKS and various mammals throughout the world. Infection with this genus is particularly prevalent in CATTLE; SHEEP; and GOATS.
D005455	Fluorescent Antibody Technique	Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy.	Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208	Acute Disease	Disease having a short and relatively severe course.	Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000907	Antibodies, Bacterial	Immunoglobulins produced in a response to BACTERIAL ANTIGENS.	Bacterial Antibodies