title: Evaluation of 4 methods for the serological diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus infection using an immunofluorescence assay as the reference method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tests specific for VCA IgM, VCA IgG, and EBNA IgG are used to diagnose Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections and interpret disease status. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is accepted as the "gold standard" test. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of 4 methods in comparison with IFA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 101 serum samples were obtained from clinically suspected cases of EBV infection between May 2010 and May 2012 and evaluated by IFA. All serum samples were analyzed by an immunoblot assay, enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and immunochromatographic assay (ICA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ELFA and ICA results were in good agreement with IFA for the detection ofVCA IgM, VCA IgG, and EBNA IgG. The results of the immunoblot assay agreed less well with IFA for EBNA IgG, while EIA results were not in agreement with IFA for EBNA IgG or VCA IgM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the tests studied, ELFA and ICA appear to be suitable methods for the diagnosis and staging of EBV when considering cost-effectiveness, turnaround times, need for a specialist, and IFA concordance.
authors.affiliation: Department  of Clinical Microbiology, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. kocogluesra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mücahide Esra
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Koçoğlu
authors.forename: Tekin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taş
authors.forename: Fırat Zafer
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Mengeloğlu
authors.forename: Şeyda
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Özsoy
authors.forename: Özlem
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Bucak
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral