A number of antigens have been found associated with persistent EBV infections of lymphoblastoid cells. Identification and localization of these antigens were principally by immunofluorescence (IF) techniques using sera from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), and infectious mononucleosis (IM). Our study was mainly with three of the EBV related antigens, a) virus capsid antigen (VCA), b) membrane antigen (MA), and c) early antigens (EA) using immunoperoxidase (IP) techniques with electron microscopy (EM) to elucidate the sites of reactivity with EBV and EBV infected cells.Prior to labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), sera from NPC, IM, and BL cases were characterized for various reactivities by the indirect IF technique. Modifications of the direct IP procedure described by Shabo and the indirect IP procedure of Leduc were made to enhance penetration of the cells and preservation of antigen reactivity.
