Use: This test is used to aid in diagnosing Coxsackie virus infection. Coxsackie B viruses cause a wide variety of illnesses, including pleurodynia (Bornholm disease), meningitis, rash, pulmonary infection and a generalized systemic infection.

Limitations: The results obtained from this assay are not to be used to determine immunity. A negative serological result does not exclude an infection. Particularly in the early phase of an infection, antibodies may not yet be present or are only present in such small quantities that they are not detectable. A positive result indicates that there has been contact with the pathogen. A positive result together with an increase in the antibody titer is considered to be a clear indication of an acute or very recent Coxsackie virus infection. Acute infections can also be diagnosed on the basis of significant antibody titer increase within two weeks.

Methodology: Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)