title: Evaluation of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in Italian patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: An association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been established serologically in Italian patients. The finding of IgA antibodies to EBV-capsid antigen (VCA) and to early antigen (EA) showed a high degree of correlation for patients with NPC, thereby confirming previous reports. In addition, when considered together, IgA anti-VCA and IgG anti-EA antibody titres appeared to distinguish NPC-patients from those in control populations. Poorly differentiated and undifferentiated carcinomas with lymphoid cellular infiltrations showed the highest frequency of association with positive EBV serological tests.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G