Enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen.
An enzyme immunoassay that detects IgM and IgG antibodies to the nuclear antigen of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is evaluated.  The EIA was compared with a rapid monoscreen (Immunoscan-IM) and an indirect fluorescent antibody procedure to determine the correlation of the new test with the current methodology.  Among 73 patients tested for heterophilic antibody, 36 were positive; 25 of these had IgM antibodies to nuclear antigen. The sensitivity of the EIA compared to the mono screen was 69.4% and specificity was 97.3%. In comparison with fluorescence assays for IgG to the nuclear antigen, 94 patients were tested with 84 showing positivity by the fluorescent method. Among these, 80 were positive by EIA yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 95.2% and 90.0%, respectively.  The EIA does not appear sensitive enough for replacement of the monoscreen but was a sensitive, cost-effective alternative to the indirect fluorescent antibody test.
Baptist Regional Laboratories, Memphis, TN.
D L
DL
Smalley
C E
CE
Dunn
M C
MC
Hechinger
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity