Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in plasma/serum: a useful serological indicator for diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the detection rates of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in the serum/plasma between apparently healthy adults (AHAs) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in attempt to evaluate the efficiency of EBV DNA assay for serodiagnosis of NPC.


METHODS
The plasma and serum were obtained from 58 AHAs and 66 untreated NPC patients. EBV DNA W-fragment was detected using nested ploymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunoenzymatic assay for titration of IgA-VCA was also adopted.


RESULTS
EBV DNA detection rate (84.85%) in the plasma/serum of 66 NPC patients was significantly higher than that (10.34%) in 58 AHAs. The sensitivity of plasma/serum EBV DNA assay (0.8485) was higher than that (0.8030) of titrating IgA-VCA (positive criterion >/= 1:40) though the specificities of these two tests were the same (0.8966). The correct rate, predictive value of a positive test, and Odds ratio of dual positivity (0.8387, 0.9792 and 141.0, respectively) were higher than those of single positivity either to plasma/serum EBV assay (0.5242, 0.7333 and 1.1423, respectively) or to IgA-VCA >/= 1:40 test (0.4839, 0.5385 and 1.0480, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The EBV DNA detection in the plasma/serum using nested PCR may be a useful indicator for serodiagnosis of NPC.
Mai
Shijuan
S
Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Medical College, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510089, China.
Zong
Yongsheng
Y
Zhang
Min
M
Zhong
Biling
B
Lin
Suxia
S
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A