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Test 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, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Frozen (preferred) 14 days
  Refrigerated  48 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

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

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Performing 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