|
|
Lab Dept:
|
Serology
|
Test Name:
|
EBV EARLY ANTIGEN ANTIBODY
|
General Information
|
Lab Order Codes:
|
EBVE
|
Synonyms:
|
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) IgG Antibody to Early Antigen, Serum; Early Antigen; EA; E. B. Virus Early Antigen; Epstein Barr Virus Early Ag Aby
|
CPT Codes:
|
86663 – Antibody; Epstein-Barr Virus, Early Antigen
|
Test Includes:
|
IgG antibody level for Epstein Barr Virus, Early Antigen
|
Logistics
|
Test Indications:
|
Useful for investigation of infectious mononucleosis, African-type Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma may cause lymphoproliferative syndromes. As an aid in the evaluation of patients with malignant lesions of type 2 and 3 is suspected, for example, patients with metastases to the cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary source.
|
Lab Testing Sections:
|
Serology – Sendouts
|
Referred to:
|
Mayo Medical Laboratories (Test# 8890)
|
Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
|
|
612-813-6280
|
651-220-6550
|
Test Availability:
|
Daily, 24 hours
|
Turnaround Time:
|
1 - 3 days; test set up Monday - Friday
|
Special Instructions:
|
N/A
|
Specimen
|
Specimen Type:
|
Blood
|
Container:
|
Red top tube
|
Draw Volume:
|
0.6 mL blood
|
Processed Volume:
|
0.2 mL serum
|
Collection:
|
Routine venipuncture
|
Special Processing:
|
Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum aliquot into a screw-capped round bottom plastic vial and store refrigerated. Ship refrigerated. Forward promptly.
|
Patient Preparation:
|
None
|
Sample Rejection:
|
Specimens other than serum, mislabeled or unlabeled specimens
|
Interpretive
|
Reference Range:
|
<1:10
Titers ≤1:20 are present in up to 15% of normal population
|
Critical Values:
|
N/A
|
Limitations:
|
This test detects both restricted and diffuse components of Early Antigen. It is not designed to differentiate between them. Usually, antibodies to the restricted component, together with antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) and IgG anti-viral capsid antigens (VCA), many be associated with reactivation of the latent viral carrier state. In contrast, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) may produce high titer antibodies to the diffuse component.
High titers of antibody to Early Antigen may be detected in patients with chronic or recurrent illness suspected of being caused by EBV. However, a diagnosis of chronic EBV should not be based on this finding alone, since high titers also may be found in patients with other diseases as well as in healthy individuals with past EBV infections.
It should be noted that there are some patients with NPC whose serum will contain IgA antibodies to VCA, IgA, but not antibodies to the early antigen of the virus or vice versa.
|
Methodology:
|
Immunoflourescence Assay (IFA)
|
Contraindications:
|
N/A
|
References:
|
Mayo Medical Laboratories Web Page April 2007
|
