Serum IgA antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early lytic antigens are present in primary EBV infection.
Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is characterized by the presence of IgM antibodies to viral capsid antigen and the absence of antibodies to EB nuclear antigen. Here, using a flow cytometry-based assay, we investigated whether IgA antibodies are a marker for primary infection. Serum IgA antibodies in 15 individuals with primary EBV infection reacted with 15%-55.6% of HH514-16 Burkitt lymphoma cells expressing early lytic antigens (EAs), whereas IgA antibodies in serum samples from 15 healthy EBV-seropositive individuals reacted with 0.02%-2% of cells with EAs (P<.0001). IgA antibodies in primary infection were directed against the Bam Z Epstein-Barr replication activator (ZEBRA) (BZLF1) and diffuse EA (BMRF1) EAs. Thus, IgA antibodies to EBV EAs are produced during primary EBV infection and are likely to be stimulated as a result of lytic EBV replication in mucosal sites. Detection of IgA antibodies to EA may be developed into a diagnostic tool for primary EBV infection.
Bhaduri-McIntosh
Sumita
S
Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Landry
Marie L
ML
Nikiforow
Sarah
S
Rotenberg
Marisa
M
El-Guindy
Ayman
A
Miller
George
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000276:immunology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; C063676:BZLF1 protein, Herpesvirus 4, Human; D015415:Biomarkers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C033305:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen; C083204:Epstein-Barr virus early antigen diffuse component; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014764:Viral Proteins