Quantitative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology in lung transplant recipients with primary EBV infection and/or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibody response was studied in lung transplant patients to assess their value in the diagnosis and prognosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Recently developed synthetic peptides representing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1), diffuse early antigen (EA(D)), and virus capsid antigen (VCA) were studied in a semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to study antibody patterns in 12 seronegative lung transplant patients, of whom four developed a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and seven seropositive lung transplant patients, all of whom developed a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Immunoblot technique was used as a control. All 12 EBV-seronegative patients had a very limited antibody response that was restricted mainly to VCA antibodies. EA(D) antibodies became detectable in only two patients. Antibody response never preceded clinical diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in the four EBV-seronegative patients who developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. In the seven seropositive lung transplant patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, we found a rise in antibody titer in only two patients. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the serological results. In conclusion, EBV-specific antibody patterns after lung transplantation are highly restricted and variable and of limited value for the diagnosis or prognosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.
Verschuuren
Erik
E
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. e.a.m.verschuuren@int.azg.nl
van der Bij
Wim
W
de Boer
Wim
W
Timens
Wim
W
Middeldorp
Jaap
J
The
T Hauw
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral