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Specific serological response

EBV has a complex antigen. Are three classes of antigenic systems: the latent phase antigens, antigens early replicative and late antigens. Not all are important for diagnosis. Among the former, there are the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA1 and 2). Despite being the first to receive the antibody response to EBNA-1, which occurs in all infected individuals, is a late marker of infection. Among the early antigens (EA) and depending on your location there are two types: diffuse (EA-D in the nucleus and cytoplasm) and restricted (EA-R, only in cytoplasm).

The response of anti-EA is not universal and indicates that the cell has entered a lytic cycle and producer. Finally, among the late ones, the antigen of the virus capsid (VCA) is expressed equally abundantly in the lytic and productive infection, and induces a response of the IgM isotype in the primary disease that lasts 2-3 months, and IgG isotype , which remains detectable for life. 

Techniques and antigens used in indirect diagnosis.

To characterize specific serological, considered the reference methods were the techniques of immunofluorescence (IFAT) for IgG and IgM anti-VCA, and IgG anti-EA, and anticomplement (IFAC) for anti-EBNA. Indirect methods are developed on slides containing cells almost exclusively express antigens of interest.

In the case of AC cell line is most often used P3HR1 for IgG anti-EA line is used to optimize chemically induced Raji antigen expression by inhibiting the production of virions .. To avoid interference resulting from the presence of rheumatoid factor, measurements of anti-VCA IgM should be performed after removal of IgG in the sample, for which the most commonly used procedure is the use of an anti-human IgG antiserum.

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