title: Compact Epstein-Barr virus diagnosis based on a defined antigen mix and specific IgA.
abstract: An ELISA was evaluated to measure EBV-specific IgM, IgG and IgA using a test plate coated with a controlled mix of EA, VCA and EBNA. Using the IgM version, the multi-reactive surface reduced false-negative findings in cases of infectious mononucleosis (sensitivity 98%), but was confronted with polyclonal IgM responses (specificity 85% to 95% depending on the population). For the IgG version, a national research standard was involved, and in combination with the IgA estimation, a new diagnostic strategy became possible for chronic EBV infections and reactivations. Patients screened by enhanced IgG (> 650 U/ml) were confirmed by an elevated IgA signal (> 0.6 A), with an efficacy of 95%. A raised virus-specific IgA response was not observed in cases of infectious mononucleosis, but was seen for healthy HIV-positive persons. Superior to the traditional antibody puzzle for EBV diagnosis, it will now become possible, using this compact diagnostic concept, to reduce laboratory expenses without loss of reliable results.
authors.affiliation: Behringwerke Research Lab., Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Dopatka
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schuy
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M