Comparison of the classical immunofluorescent antibody tests for epstein‐barr virus with commercially available test kits

Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ann M. Johnson, Motohiko Okano, Gail L. Woods, David T. Purtilo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Twenty reference sera with previously reported titers plus 10 normal seropositive and 10 seronegative sera were used to determine which assay for the detection of antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus should be utilized in our laboratory. By three commercially available test systems and by slides prepared in our laboratory, all techniques detected the same number of samples positive for IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein‐Barr virus‐determined nuclear antigen (EBNA), but the geometric mean titers (GMTs) varied. Major discrepancies arose in the sensitivity of detection of early antigen‐diffuse (EA‐D) and ‐diffuse and restricted (EA‐DR). Slides prepared in our laboratory gave the best results, detecting 12 of 12 (100%). Slides prepared according to Gull and Hillcrest detected 11 of 12 (92%), and those prepared according to Zeus detected 9 of 12 (75%). From these data, we conclude that all of these methods for detection of VCA and EBNA are adequate. However, in determining antibody levels to EA‐D and EA‐DR, great care should be taken as to the source of the slide and specificity and sensitivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)256-260
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
Volume4
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

Keywords

  • EBV‐determined nuclear antigen
  • Epstein‐Barr virus
  • anticomplement immunofluorescence
  • immunofluorescent antibody tests
  • viral capsid antigen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Hematology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Biochemistry, medical
  • Microbiology (medical)

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