Epstein Barr virus is a DNA virus that infects mostly young children and adolescence. But is does infect adults not infrequently. The virus enters the human body system through the oropharyngeal epithelial and lymphoid tissue. The virus enters the cell DNA and incorporate into the cell and may induce oncogenic changes in some of the cells later in life
:Antibodies response
Viral capsid antigen (VCA): IgM and IgG : first to rise in the incubation period and prodromal phase. IgM falls after 2nd and 3rd week. IgG: remains during life
EBV nuclear antigen antibody (EBNA): rises during the later portion of the convalescence (after 2 weeks) and detectable throughout life
Early antigen-Diffuse type: EA-D: rises with onset of clinical symptoms and decreased after 9-10 months. It is also increased during reactivation of the disease and is considered usually as a marker of reactivation of infection
:Summary of the results
IgG: VCA positive-
IgM: VCA positive
Indicates: Primary infection
IgG: VCA and EBNA positive-
IgM: Negative
Indicates Late phase of infection
IgG: VCA, EBNA and EA-D positive-
IgM: VCA positive
Indicates reactivated infection
IgG: VCA and EA-D positive-
IgM: Negative
Indicates reactivation of infection
This test is performed by Western Blot and is very sensitive for different viral antibodies and antigens
Please ask for full EBV virus profile to detect the status of the patient with EBV infections and that will include: VCA (IgG, IgM). EA-D, EBNA
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further inquiries
We in the First Medical Lab are dedicated to bring the best of Laboratory medicine to clinical practice in Jordan
Dr. Hussam Abu-Farsakh
American Board of Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology
Circular: is a periodic circular that distributed to clinician informing them about new and important tests available at First Medical Laboratory. All information listed are supported by recent literature