Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. The virus is present worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV at some point during their lives. In general terms, as many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected. Infectious mononucleosis is the most common disease caused by EBV, leading to fever, cervical adenopathies, splenomegaly, and pharyngitis. Some cases can be caused by cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma gondii, adenovirus, etc. EBV is also in the origin of proliferative syndromes in immunosuppressed patients, as well as EBV infection is associated with Burkitt´s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Antibodies to several antigen complexes may be measured for detection of Epstein-Bar virus. These antigens are the viral capsid antigen (VCA), the early antigen (EA), and the EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA). The presence of IgM antibodies to VCA and absence of antibodies to EBNA, are indicative of primary EBV infection. An increase or high IgG antibody titers to VCA, and a lack of antibody response to EBNA after at least 4 weeks of illness, strongly suggest primary infection also. In addition, 80% of patients with active EBV infection produce antibodies to EA. The presence of antibodies to both VCA and EBNA is indicative of past infection (infections ocurred 4-6 months, or even years, earlier). Since 95% of adults have been infected with EBV at some point, most adults will show antibodies to EBV, from earlier infections. High or elevated antibody levels may be present for years and are not necessarily an indicator of recent infection.
Vircell
- це біотехнологічна компанія, що спеціалізується на розробці та виробництві готових до використання реагентів для інфекційних захворювань людини. Компанія присутня в лабораторіях понад 80 країн світу на п'яти континентах. Vircell пропонує понад 400 посилань на виявлення бактерій, вірусів, паразитів за допомогою різних методик: ІФА, хемілюмінесценція, пряма та непряма імунофлуоресценція, імунокаптаційна аглютинація, культура клітин та молекулярна біологія (олігохроматографія та контроль ПЛР).
Компанія Vircell, Гранада - Іспанія
