The capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinomas: Comparison of serum antibody titre, cellular antigen content and histopathology

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharyngeal type (UCNT) is highly prevalent in southeast China, where immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies to viral capsid antigen and early antigen (EA) represent important markers, routinely used to assist in diagnosing this malignancy. Our study aimed at determining the EBV serological profiles of 78 UCNT patients from Italy, an area of nonendemicity for this tumor, using different assays specific for both lytic and latent EBV antigens. Serum IgA against both EA and EBNA1 and IgG and IgA to the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), to EA, and to the EBV transactivator ZEBRA protein were assessed. These serological responses were then evaluated according to the clinicopathologic parameters at diagnosis. The sensitivities of the IgG assays were 37.7% for LMP1, 73.6% for EA, and 61.0% for ZEBRA. EA/EBNA1 IgA reactivity was 84.4%, and a high association (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 4.0) with UCNT was observed. When EBV serological reactivities were analyzed according to the tumor, node, and metastasis staging system (TNM), a statistically significant association was found between N stage and IgG antibody rates for EA (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 10.9) and ZEBRA (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 5.5) and between M stage and IgG antibody rates for ZEBRA (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 3.2 to 16.0) and LMP1 (OR, 14.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 110.9). Our results show that no single serological marker allows the detection of all UCNT cases. EA/EBNA1 IgA represents a reliable marker for diagnosis, with a high predictive value also in areas where UCNT is not endemic, such as Italy. The analysis of serological results according to TNM classification is consistent with a progressive impairment of humoral immune response to EBV as the disease advances and may be used to improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

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P1171 Multiplex bead-based assays for Epstein-Barr virus, IgG and IgM serum antibody detection

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents ◽

10.1016/s0924-8579(07)71011-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. S319

Author(s):

H. Gregson ◽

N. Liu ◽

H. Truong ◽

X. Su ◽

E. Laderman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Epstein Barr ◽

Multiplex Bead

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Herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus antibody titres in sera from schizophrenic patients

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291700011764 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 757-763 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Lynn E. Delisi ◽

Suzanne B. Smith ◽

Joel R. Hamovit ◽

M. Elizabeth Maxwell ◽

Lynn R. Goldin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Control Group ◽

Early Antigen ◽

Sibling Pairs ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Antibody Titres ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

Epstein Barr

SynopsisSerum antibody titres to herpes-simplex (HSV-1, 2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein–Barr virus capsid antigen (EBV-VCA) were determined in 38 unrelated chronic schizophrenic patients, 11 nuclear families with at least 2 schizophrenic members, and 2 control groups. The distributions of antibody titres to herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus were similar among all groups. Patients had higher anti-EBV-VCA titres than non-hospitalized controls; however, hospital staff members in contact with the patients also had significantly higher antibody titres to EBV-VCA. Antibodies to EBV early antigen (EBV-EA) were also determined for 27 unrelated patients and 24 mental hospital employees. The schizophrenic patients had significantly higher antibody titres to EBV-EA than the hospital worker control group. These data do not support the hypothesis that herpes viruses are associated with the aetiology of schizophrenia. Although elevated anti-EBV early antigen titres may suggest persistent active EBV infection, it is unlikely to be related to the aetiology of the disorder, since discordance for EBV seropositivity was present among sibling pairs concordant for schizophrenia.

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A Quantitative Ultrastructural Study of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Containing Parallel Tubular Arrays in Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalo-Virus Mononucleosis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100098769 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 39 ◽

pp. 454-455

Author(s):

C. M. Payne ◽

P. M. Tennican

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Blood ◽

Lymphocyte Count ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽

Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes ◽

Clinical State ◽

Barr Virus ◽

The Absolute ◽

Epstein Barr ◽

Tubular Arrays

In the normal peripheral circulation there exists a sub-population of lymphocytes which is ultrastructurally distinct. This lymphocyte is identified under the electron microscope by the presence of cytoplasmic microtubular-like inclusions called parallel tubular arrays (PTA) (Figure 1), and contains Fc-receptors for cytophilic antibody. In this study, lymphocytes containing PTA (PTA-lymphocytes) were quantitated from serial peripheral blood specimens obtained from two patients with Epstein -Barr Virus mononucleosis and two patients with cytomegalovirus mononucleosis. This data was then correlated with the clinical state of the patient.It was determined that both the percentage and absolute number of PTA- lymphocytes was highest during the acute phase of the illness. In follow-up specimens, three of the four patients' absolute lymphocyte count fell to within normal limits before the absolute PTA-lymphocyte count.In one patient who was followed for almost a year, the absolute PTA- lymphocyte count was consistently elevated (Figure 2). The estimation of absolute PTA-lymphocyte counts was determined to be valid after a morphometric analysis of the cellular areas occupied by PTA during the acute and convalescent phases of the disease revealed no statistical differences.

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