Q fever laboratory diagnostic methods used in Roumania.

The methods used presently in Roumania for Q fever laboratory diagnosis are presented. They include Coxiella (C.) burnetii isolation procedures, Q fever serologic tests, and the skin test. The diagnosis by isolation procedures is performed by inoculation into guinea pigs and embryonated eggs. Q fever serologic diagnostic tests are the complement fixation (CF), microagglutination (MA), and IgG-IgM ELISA tests. Results obtained by comparing the CF test with MA and ELISA tests in the diagnosis of acute cases and of previously infected patients are presented. Skin test diagnosis using a C. burnetii corpuscular antigen in animals and a soluble antigen in men was compared with the CF test and proved the reliability of the skin test as an alternative method for Q fever diagnosis, especially in epidemiologic investigations.