The application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or an immunofluorescent assay test leads to different estimates of seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in the population.

The diagnosis and epidemiological studies of Q fever depend on serology. Among the main methods employed are the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the immunofluorescent assay test (IFAT). We show that two commercial assays representing the two methods with two different cut-off titres can lead to significant differences in diagnostic and seroprevalence estimates. This in turn emphasizes the need for a standardized gold method to compare the various assays; whether this standard is 'in-house' or commercially obtained.

Diazepam impairs lateral position control in highway driving.

Nine expert drivers operated an instrumented vehicle in tests over a highway at night after being treated with diazepam (5 and 10 milligrams), a placebo, and nothing. They reacted to 10 milligrams of diazepam with increased lateral position variability. Potentially dangerous impairment was inferred from the reactions of some subjects.