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The antibody response in Legionnaires' disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. Nagington ,
T. G. Wreghitt ,
J. O'H. Tobin  and
A. D. Macrae
J. Nagington
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, New Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
T. G. Wreghitt
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, New Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
J. O'H. Tobin
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, The Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford
A. D. Macrae
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham
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Summary

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From 22 patients with Legionnaires' disease, 86 sera were examined for specific serotype 1 IgM and IgG antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence technique.

No antibody was detectable until 8 days or more from the onset of symptoms. When produced the amount was widely variable and remained detectable for periods from less than 34 days to more than 1 year.

Initially IgM antibody predominated, ten patients produced only IgM in the first 21 days, six produced only IgM in the first 28 days and three did not produce IgG at any time. One patient, and possibly a second, produced only IgG antibody.

Since IgM antibody was still present in one patient after a year it is important not to accept the presence of this as evidence of very recent infection.

It is advisable that any type of serological test for L. pneumophila infection should detect the production of both IgM and IgG antibodies.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 83 , Issue 2 , October 1979 , pp. 377 - 381
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

References

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