OVERVIEW
What is EBV (Epstein Barr Virus)?
A human herpes virus that is known to cause mild to moderate illness in an individual. This viral infection is very common and is contagious i.e. transmits from person to person via close contact with infected individuals. It is present in saliva so can spread through kissing or sharing utensils/cups with infected person. People get EBV infected mostly during childhood and experience few or no symptoms at all. But if the initial infection occurs during adolescence (puberty), then infectious mononucleosis takes place. Mononucleosis commonly called mono is a condition characterized by fever, fatigue, sore throat, enlarged spleen, swollen lymph nodes, and enlarged liver (sometimes).
What is EBNA1 (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1)?
It was the first EBV protein to be discovered that is associated with EBV replication and stable persistence. This EBNA1 protein is expressed in both latent (inactive) and lytic (replications take place i.e. active) phase of EBV infection. This protein is majorly expressed in EBV-associated tumors and helps the virus in producing multiple effects on cellular proteins and pathways.
What is Anti- EBV (EBNA-1) IgG lab test?
This test is indicated for quantitative determination of IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies released against EBNA-1 in human blood (plasma or serum). These IgG antibodies against EBNA-1 are released about 6 to 8 weeks after onset of symptoms in EBV infected patients. Hence these antibodies indicate that disease has transitioned from active to latent phase of disease.
Why is Anti-EBV (EBNA-1) IgG lab test done?
This test is done:
- As it helps diagnose the transition of disease from active to latent form
- As it helps diagnose past infection (from several months to years earlier) with EBV
- It helps in distinguishing and exclusion of primary EBV infection (i.e. new or recent infection)
OVERVIEW
What is EBV (Epstein Barr Virus)?
A human herpes virus that is known to cause mild to moderate illness in an individual. This viral infection is very common and is contagious i.e. transmits from person to person via close contact with infected individuals. It is present in saliva so can spread through kissing or sharing utensils/cups with infected person. People get EBV infected mostly during childhood and experience few or no symptoms at all. But if the initial infection occurs during adolescence (puberty), then infectious mononucleosis takes place. Mononucleosis commonly called mono is a condition characterized by fever, fatigue, sore throat, enlarged spleen, swollen lymph nodes, and enlarged liver (sometimes).
What is EBNA1 (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1)?
It was the first EBV protein to be discovered that is associated with EBV replication and stable persistence. This EBNA1 protein is expressed in both latent (inactive) and lytic (replications take place i.e. active) phase of EBV infection. This protein is majorly expressed in EBV-associated tumors and helps the virus in producing multiple effects on cellular proteins and pathways.
What is Anti- EBV (EBNA-1) IgG lab test?
This test is indicated for quantitative determination of IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies released against EBNA-1 in human blood (plasma or serum). These IgG antibodies against EBNA-1 are released about 6 to 8 weeks after onset of symptoms in EBV infected patients. Hence these antibodies indicate that disease has transitioned from active to latent phase of disease.
Why is Anti-EBV (EBNA-1) IgG lab test done?
This test is done:
- As it helps diagnose the transition of disease from active to latent form
- As it helps diagnose past infection (from several months to years earlier) with EBV
- It helps in distinguishing and exclusion of primary EBV infection (i.e. new or recent infection)
When To Get Tested?
When you have symptoms of mono but a negative mono test; when a pregnant woman has flu-like symptoms; occasionally when an asymptomatic person has been exposed to someone with mono; or possibly as a means to check immune system function.
- When is a patient EBNA positive?
This happens when EBV virus expresses nuclear antigen only after becoming latent, then the patient becomes EBNA positive for the rest of her/his life. This means that patient does not have current EBV mononucleosis.
- Do we always test positive for Epstein- Barr?
Since almost 90% population is known to be EBV infected, so testing positive isn’t important unless you have EBV-like symptoms that cannot be explained by other causes.
- What is meant by IgG high?
IgG high levels mean that infection is long-term or chronic such as in HIV.
- What symptoms arise in chronic Epstein-Barr?
Symptoms like fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, sore throat, rash, or weakness/ soreness in muscles can occur
- What initiates Epstein-Barr infection?
It happens due to close contact with infected person via bodily fluids like saliva.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
When the EBV is suspected but heterophile antibody is not detected, then evaluation of EBV-specific antibody profile takes place which includes VCA (viral capsid antigen) IgG, VCA IgM & EBNA. So, the EBNA together with the other two antibodies, rules out the test result:
- VCA IgG (negative), VCA IgM (negative), EBNA IgG (negative) = Interprets no previous exposure
- VCA IgG (positive), VCA IgM (positive), EBNA IgG (negative) = interprets recent infection
- VCA IgG (positive), VCA IgM (negative), EBNA IgG (positive) = interprets past infection
- VCA IgG (positive), VCA IgM (negative), EBNA IgG (negative) = interprets infection with EBV at some point but not clear as to recent or past infection.
- VCA IgG (positive), VCA IgM (positive), EBNA IgG (positive) = interprets past infection
You get tested for differential diagnosis when symptoms aren’t clear, to exclude the chance the possibility of primary EBV infection, & to diagnose a latent (past) infection of EBV.