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The antibody response in Legionnaires' disease
The Journal of Hygiene
|October 1, 1979
Summary
Antibodies for Legionnaires' disease (Legionella pneumophila) appear after 8 days and vary in duration. Both IgM and IgG antibodies are crucial for accurate serological testing, as IgM can persist for over a year.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila.
- Accurate serological diagnosis is essential for patient management and epidemiological studies.
- Understanding antibody kinetics is key to interpreting diagnostic test results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal dynamics of IgM and IgG antibody production in patients with Legionnaires' disease.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting both antibody isotypes.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to analyze 86 serum samples from 22 patients.
- Detection of specific serotype 1 IgM and IgG antibodies against Legionella pneumophila.
Main Results:
- Antibodies were not detectable until at least 8 days post-symptom onset.
- Antibody levels varied significantly and persisted from under 34 days to over 1 year.
- Initially, IgM antibodies predominated; some patients produced only IgM, and a few produced only IgG.
- IgM antibodies were detected in one patient after more than a year, challenging assumptions of recent infection.
Conclusions:
- The presence of IgM antibodies alone is not a reliable indicator of recent Legionnaires' disease infection.
- Serological tests for Legionella pneumophila should include the detection of both IgM and IgG antibodies for comprehensive diagnosis.