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Interpreting paired serology for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus diseases
Interpreting paired serology for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus diseases
- Source :
- Australian journal of general practice. 48(9)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Background: Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) cause approximately 4000 and 1000 cases, respectively, of rheumatic disease in Australia every year. Confirmation of a diagnosis usually involves testing for virus-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG by a National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited pathology facility. Objective: The aim of the article is to provide a logical framework by which clinicians can interpret paired RRV and BFV serology results in environments in which numerical antibody titres are no longer routinely provided. The traditional recommendation to look for an increase in titres is now largely obsolete. Discussion: Paired serology is clinical best practice but needs to be appropriately interpreted given the false positive and negative rates, the large number of asymptomatic infections and the long-term persistence of IgM in some individuals. An inappropriate interpretation risks a misdiagnosis.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Pediatrics
medicine.medical_specialty
Alphavirus
Antibodies, Viral
Asymptomatic
Serology
03 medical and health sciences
Ross River virus
0302 clinical medicine
Rheumatic Diseases
medicine
Humans
False Positive Reactions
Serologic Tests
030212 general & internal medicine
Viral immunology
False Negative Reactions
biology
business.industry
Alphavirus Infections
Australia
Rheumatic disease
biology.organism_classification
030104 developmental biology
Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulin G
medicine.symptom
Family Practice
Barmah Forest virus
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22087958
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Australian journal of general practice
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....8cb307de3943c3cbd6f4c49534e4db8f