IgG Avidity: an Important Serologic Marker for the Diagnosis of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection

Pol J Microbiol. 2016;65(1):119-21. doi: 10.5604/17331331.1197285.

Abstract

A total of 52 serum samples from patients with symptoms suggestive of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection and positive IgM and/or IgG antibodies were tested for IgG avidity. Acute/recent TBEV infection was confirmed by low/borderline avidity index (AI) in 94.8% IgM positive/IgG positive samples, while in 5.2% high AI was found indicating persisting IgM antibodies. Majority of IgM negative/IgG positive samples (78.6%) showed high AI consistent with past TBEV infection. However, in 21.3% patients without measurable IgM antibodies current/recent infection was confirmed by AI. IgG avidity represents an additional serologic marker that improves diagnosis of TBEV, especially in cases of atypical antibody response.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibody Affinity / physiology*
  • Biomarkers
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / immunology*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / blood*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M