title: Comparative evaluation of the new ARCHITECT EBV assays considering different testing algorithms.
abstract: In the current evaluation, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology was performed on 1113 routine serum samples. Although the initial request for all samples from the general practitioner was EBV IgM testing, 80.9% were classified as past infections. The ARCHITECT(®) viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, VCA IgG, and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1 IgG assays showed good results for sensitivity and specificity, being 100.0%, 98.3%, and 100.0% and 99.9%, 95.4%, and 99.6%, respectively. Using an algorithm based on initial EBNA-1 IgG testing, followed by VCA IgG and IgM for samples that were not EBNA-1 IgG reactive, the number of tests per sample could be reduced to nearly 50% compared to parallel testing. The high sensitivity and specificity of the ARCHITECT(®) EBNA-1 IgG assay in combination with a low number of grayzone results are a precondition for the chosen test algorithm. Thus, the newly developed ARCHITECT(®) EBV panel is suitable for accurate and cost-efficient EBV serology in a routine clinical laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Ring 2, 65205 Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany. Electronic address: eva.sickinger@abbott.com.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sickinger
authors.affiliation: Algemeen Medisch Laboratorium, Immunology Department, Emiel Vloorsstraat 9, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berth
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Ring 2, 65205 Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vockel
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Ring 2, 65205 Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Bertram
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Ring 2, 65205 Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oer
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Ring 2, 65205 Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buenning
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M
keywords: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); Infection stage determination; Testing algorithms; VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG; VCA IgM