DNA-DNA dot hybridization to detect Epstein-Barr virus in throat washings.
To compare the abilities of the nucleic acid dot hybridization assay and the cord blood lymphocyte transformation assay to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we examined throat washings from healthy control subjects (nine EBV-seronegative and 51 EBV-seropositive), patients with acute infectious mononucleosis, and renal transplant recipients. The dot hybridization assay detected EBV excretion in four (8%) of the EBV-seropositive controls; three of these four were also positive by the lymphocyte transformation assay. Throat washings from seven (87.5%) of eight patients with acute infectious mononucleosis were positive by both assays. EBV was present in throat washings from 13 (50%) of 26 renal transplant recipients. For specimens stored at -70 C for less than four months, the dot hybridization assay had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 98% when compared with the lymphocyte transformation assay. The dot hybridization assay is a rapid, sensitive, and specific test that can be performed on readily available clinical specimens.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen