Screening for exposure to Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever
This test should not be used as a screening procedure for the general population.
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
QFP | Q Fever IgM/IgG, Titer, S | No | No |
If the Q fever serology result is reactive, then Q fever antibody confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Infective Endocarditis: Diagnostic Testing for Identification of Microbiological Etiology.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Coxiella burnetii
Febrile Agglutinins
OX-19 (Proteus OX-19 - Weil-Felix)
OX-2 (Proteus OX-2 - Weil-Felix)
OS-K (Proteus OX-K - Weil-Felix)
Proteus (Weil-Felix)
Rickettsial Antibody
Typhus
Weil-Felix
QFEVR
Q-Fever
QFP
If the Q fever serology result is reactive, then Q fever antibody confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Infective Endocarditis: Diagnostic Testing for Identification of Microbiological Etiology.
Serum
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
0.5 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | Reject |
Heat-inactivated specimen | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
Frozen | 7 days |
Screening for exposure to Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever
This test should not be used as a screening procedure for the general population.
If the Q fever serology result is reactive, then Q fever antibody confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Infective Endocarditis: Diagnostic Testing for Identification of Microbiological Etiology.
Q fever, a rickettsial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, has been recognized as a widely distributed zoonosis with the potential for causing both sporadic and epidemic disease. The resistance of C burnetii to heat, chemical agents, and desiccation allows the agent to survive for extended periods outside the host.
C burnetii is spread by the inhalation of infected material, largely from dried sheep and goat reproductive material; the organism is also shed in feces, milk, nasal discharge, placental tissue, and amniotic fluid from ruminant animals.
The clinical spectrum of disease ranges from unapparent to fatal. Respiratory manifestations usually predominate; endocarditis and hepatitis can be complications.
During the course of the infection, the outer membrane of the organism undergoes changes in its lipopolysaccharide structure, called phase variation. Differences in the host antibody response between phase I and phase II antigens can help classify infections as either acute or chronic:
-In acute Q fever, the phase II antibody is generally higher than the phase I titer, often by 4-fold, even in early specimens. Although a rise in phase I as well as phase II titers may occur in later specimens, the phase II titer remains higher.
-In chronic Q fever, the reverse situation is generally seen. Serum specimens collected late in the illness from chronic Q fever patients demonstrate significantly higher phase I titers, sometimes much greater than 4-fold.
-In the case of chronic granulomatous hepatitis, IgG and IgM titers to phase I and phase II antigens are quite elevated, with phase II titers generally equal to or greater than phase I titers.
-Titers seen in Q fever endocarditis are similar in magnitude, although the phase I titers are quite often higher than the phase II titers.
Negative
Reference values apply to all ages
Negative:
No antibodies to Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) detected. Repeat testing on a new sample collected in 2 to 3 weeks if acute Q fever is suspected.
Reactive:
Not diagnostic. Sample reflexed to the indirect immunofluorescence assay to determine Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) phase I and phase II IgM and IgG titers.
Serologic responses are time dependent. Specimens collected too early in the disease may not have detectable antibody levels. A second specimen collected 2 to 3 weeks may be necessary to detect antibody.
Cross-reactivity may occur with other closely related intracellular organisms (eg, Rickettsia species).
1. Hartzell JD, Marrie TJ, Raoult D. Coxiella burnetii (Q fever). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2360-2367
2. Anderson A, Bijlmer H, Fournier PE, et al. Diagnosis and management of Q fever--United States, 2013: recommendations from CDC and the Q Fever Working Group [published correction appears in MMWR Recomm Rep. 2013 Sep 6;62(35):730]. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2013;62(RR-03):1-30
The test uses microplate strips, each with 8 break-off reagent wells coated with purified native antigens from Coxiella burnetii cells in the acute and chronic phase. In the first reaction step, diluted samples are incubated in the wells. In the case of positive samples, specific IgA, IgG, or IgM antibodies will bind to the antigens. To detect the bound antibodies, a second incubation is carried out using an enzyme-labelled anti-human IgA-G-M (enzyme conjugate) catalyzing a color reaction.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Sunday through Friday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
86638
86638 x 4 (if applicable)
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
QFEVR | Q Fever Ab Scrn w/ Titer Reflex, S | 23019-3 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
QFEVR | Q Fever Ab Scrn w/ Titer Reflex, S | 23019-3 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
Test Status - Test Resumed | 2024-02-28 |
Test Status - Test Delay | 2024-02-21 |
Test Changes - Title | 2023-08-17 |
New Test | 2023-03-23 |