Table 1

Patterns of anti-Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) serologies observed in different disease states

Disease state

VCA

EBNA-1

EBNA-2

EA

References

Early, acute primary EBV infection

IgA, IgM

Undetectable

↑↑

EA-D

[45,66]

Primary infection (weeks to months)

IgG

↑

↓

EA-R

[45,67]

Latent EBV infection in healthy host

Stable IgG

Stable

↓

Stable EA-R

[67]

Reactivation/EBV replication

↑↑ IgG

↑↑

↑

↑

[67-69,117]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma^a

↑↑ IgG, IgA

↑ IgG, IgA

[70,118-120]

Burkitt's lymphoma^a

↑↑ IgG

↑

↑↑

↑

[70,121]

Multiple sclerosis^a

↑

↑

↑↑

↑

[111,112]

Systemic lupus erythematosus^a

↑

↑

[113,114]

Rheumatoid arthritis

↑

↑

↑

↑

[82-86,122]

EA, EBV early antigen; EA-D, EBV early antigen – diffuse; EA-R, EBV early antigen – restricted; EBNA, EBV nuclear antigen; VCA, EBV viral capsid antigen. ^aAbnormalities observed before disease onset.

Costenbader and Karlson Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006 8:204   doi:10.1186/ar1893