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HelpTest Code EBVAB Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Profile, Serum
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis or other EBV related infections
Identification of prior EBV infection as part of pre-immunosuppression screening
This assay is not intended for viral isolation or identification.
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEBV | EBV VCA IgM, S | No | Yes |
| GEBV | EBV VCA IgG, S | No | Yes |
| NAEBV | EBV NA IgG, S | No | Yes |
| INTEB | Interpretation | No | Yes |
Method Name
MEBV, GEBV, NAEBV: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
INTEB: Technical Interpretation
Reporting Name
EBV Ab Profile, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
Reference Values
Epstein-Barr Virus VIRAL CAPSID ANTIGEN (VCA) IgM ANTIBODY:
Negative
Epstein-Barr Virus VIRAL CAPSID ANTIGEN (VCA) IgG ANTIBODY:
Negative
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (EBNA) IgG ANTIBODY:
Negative
Interpretation
The profile has 3 components: viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG, VCA IgM, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA).
Presence of VCA IgM antibodies suggests an acute or recent primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Presence of VCA IgG antibodies indicates infection sometime in the recent or remote past.
Antibodies to EBNA develop 6 to 8 weeks after primary infection and are detectable for life.
Refer to table below for interpretation of EBV antibody results.
|
VCA IgM result |
VCA IgG result |
EBNA IgG result |
Interpretation |
|
Negative |
Positive |
Negative |
Results suggest recent EBV infection. The detection of only anti-VCA IgG should be interpreted with caution in immunocompromised patients, as this population may demonstrate diminishing or undetectable levels of anti-EBNA IgG antibodies. |
|
Positive |
Positive |
Negative |
Results suggest recent EBV infection. |
|
Positive |
Negative |
Negative |
|
|
Positive |
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
Results suggest recent EBV infection. Recommend follow-up testing in 10-14 days if clinically indicated. |
|
Positive |
Equivocal |
Negative |
|
|
Positive |
Positive |
Equivocal |
|
|
Positive |
Negative |
Equivocal |
|
|
Positive |
Positive |
Positive |
Results may suggest recent EBV recovery or reactivation. |
|
Positive |
Equivocal |
Positive |
|
|
Positive |
Negative |
Positive |
|
|
Negative |
Negative |
Negative |
Results suggest no prior exposure to EBV. However, a second serum specimen should be tested in 10-14 days if clinically indicated. |
|
Negative |
Positive |
Positive |
Results suggest past EBV infection. |
|
Negative |
Negative |
Positive |
|
|
Negative |
Equivocal |
Positive |
|
|
Negative |
Positive |
Equivocal |
Detection of anti-VCA IgG only should be interpreted with caution in immunocompromised patients, as this population may demonstrate diminishing or undetectable levels of anti-EBNA IgG antibodies. Recommend follow-up testing in 10-14 days if clinically indicated. |
|
Equivocal |
Negative |
Positive |
Results suggest past EBV infection. Recommend follow-up testing in 10-14 days if clinically indicated. |
|
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
Positive |
|
|
|
|
|
Results with unclear clinical significance |
|
Negative |
Negative |
Equivocal |
Recommend follow-up testing in 10-14 days if clinically indicated. |
|
Negative |
Equivocal |
Negative |
|
|
Negative |
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
|
|
Equivocal |
Negative |
Negative |
|
|
Equivocal |
Negative |
Equivocal |
|
|
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
Negative |
|
|
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
Equivocal |
|
|
Equivocal |
Positive |
Negative |
|
|
Equivocal |
Positive |
Equivocal |
|
|
Equivocal |
Positive |
Positive |
Clinical Reference
1. Knipe DM, Howley PM, Griffin DE, et al, eds. Fields' Virology. 5th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2007
2. Linde A, Falk KI. Epstein-Barr virus. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. . In: Barron EJ, Jorgensen JH, Landry ML, eds. 9th ed. ASM Press; 2007:1564-1573
3. Johannsen EC, Kaye KM. Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignant diseases, and other diseases). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:1872-1890
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86664-EBNA
86665 x 2-VCA, IgG and IgM
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| EBVAB | EBV Ab Profile, S | 87554-2 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| GEBV | EBV VCA IgG, S | 24114-1 |
| INTEB | Interpretation | 69048-7 |
| MEBV | EBV VCA IgM, S | 24115-8 |
| NAEBV | EBV NA IgG, S | 5156-5 |