Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Serology

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Serology

Let’s review the serology of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). EBV causes Infectious Mononucleosis. This disease is usually benign and self limiting. However, in some cases it can become chronic, or reactivating. EBV can also cause cancers and other serious complications. Let’s review the serology of the EBV.

About infectious Mononucleosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4670567/

CDC on EBV Serology
https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/laboratory-testing.html

Serological diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus infection: Problems and solutions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782265/

The Relationship Between Environmental Factors and the Profile of Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies in the Lytic and Latent Infection Periods in Healthy Populations from Endemic and Non-Endemic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Areas in China
https://www.thelancet.com/article/S2352-3964(18)30073-2/fulltext

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Infectious Mononucleosis
https://labpedia.net/epstein-barr-virus-ebv-infectious-mononucleosis/

High level overview of the serology
States of a person:
Susceptible to EBV (never had it before.)
No antibodies

Acute infection
VCA IgM

Acute infection late acute
VCA-IgM and increasing VCA-IgG

Past infection
VCA-IgG and EBNA-1 IgG

Reactivation of the EBV
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782265/
High EA (D) IgG
Increasing VCA-IgG
Decreasing EBNA-1 IgG
Even VCA-IgM may reappear during the reactivation

Immunosuppressed may have
Only EBVCA IgG without EBVCA IgM or EBNA-1

In 1.7% of the infected patients may only show EBNA-1 without EBVCA-IgG (this pattern is usually thought to be implausible.)

Antibody patterns and causes from LabPedia
https://labpedia.net/epstein-barr-virus-ebv-infectious-mononucleosis/