Laboratory Assays for Epstein-Barr Virus-Related Disease Margaret L. Gulley, Weihua Tang The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics Volume 10, Issue 4, Pages 279-292 (July 2008) DOI: 10.2353/jmoldx.2008.080023 Copyright © 2008 American Society for Investigative Pathology and Association for Molecular Pathology Terms and Conditions
Figure 1 Serological titers distinguish primary infection from remote infection. IgG anti-VCA and IgM anti-VCA rise in concert with symptoms of primary infection and a positive heterophile test. After symptoms resolve, remote infection is characterized by EBNA and IgG anti-VCA without EA, although EA and IgM may reappear with or without symptoms on viral reactivation or EBV-related neoplasia. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2008 10, 279-292DOI: (10.2353/jmoldx.2008.080023) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Investigative Pathology and Association for Molecular Pathology Terms and Conditions
Figure 2 EBV viral load in whole blood reflects clinical status in patients with infectious mononucleosis, allogeneic transplant, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV DNA levels begin to rise within 2 weeks of primary infection and are already falling by the time the patient becomes symptomatic (due to interferon γ and other immune responses). Plasma or serum EBV DNA is undetectable in most remotely infected individuals; however, whole blood is low positive for the duration of life. If an EBV-related malignancy develops, levels may rise before clinical diagnosis, implying that high-risk patients benefit from routine monitoring. Successful therapy is marked by a decline to baseline, and rising levels may serve as a harbinger of relapse. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2008 10, 279-292DOI: (10.2353/jmoldx.2008.080023) Copyright © 2008 American Society for Investigative Pathology and Association for Molecular Pathology Terms and Conditions