Test Code QFEVER Q Fever Antibody, IgG and IgM, Serum
Reporting Name
Q Fever Ab, IgG and IgM, SCoxiella burnetii Abs
Useful For
Diagnosing Q fever
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
Frozen | 7 days |
Reference Values
Q FEVER PHASE I ANTIBODY, IgG
<1:16
Q FEVER PHASE II ANTIBODY, IgG
<1:16
Q FEVER PHASE I ANTIBODY, IgM
<1:16
Q FEVER PHASE II ANTIBODY, IgM
<1:16
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved or is exempt by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86638 x 4
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
QFP | Q Fever Ab, IgG and IgM, S | 77175-8 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
80965 | Q Fever Phase I Ab, IgG | 34716-1 |
24011 | Q Fever Phase II Ab, IgG | 34717-9 |
81115 | Q Fever Phase I Ab, IgM | 9710-5 |
24009 | Q Fever Phase II Ab, IgM | 9711-3 |
24010 | Interpretation | 69048-7 |
Clinical Information
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.
The infection is spread by the inhalation of infected material, mainly from sheep and goats. They shed the organism in feces, milk, nasal discharge, placental tissue, and amniotic fluid.
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 phase I and phase II antigen presentation can help determine if the infection is acute or chronic:
-In acute Q fever, the phase II antibody is usually 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.
Analytic Time
Same day/1 dayReject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
NY State Approved
YesMethod Name
Indirect Immunofluorescence
Testing Algorithm
See Infective Endocarditis: Diagnostic Testing for Identification of Microbiological Etiology in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Computer Interface Code
PDM # 5902682