Epstein Barr Virus?

[daisy.girl]

can anyone tell me what the following means?


EBV VCA antibody (IGM)    < or= 0.90  negative
EBV VCA antibody (IGG)      1.82  positive HIGH  
EBV EBNA antibody (IGG)    4.32 positive HIGH

                Index
                     or = 1.10   positive

[Quixotic1]

I would have to check, but I think they can test for the Viral Capsid Antigen rather than the antibody, and they can test for the Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen rather than the antibody.  Looking for those is often part of the complete EBV panel.

The antigen is what the antibody is aimed at.

Quix

[daisy.girl]

thanks again....I must have been typing while you posted your answer....so I didn't see your last post until after I posted mine. sorry :(

how do they test for ongoing antigen production?

[daisy.girl]

I didn't answer your question.

I was never diagnosed with mono....but do think that I had it. My oldest daughter had a severe case about four years ago, it took her over 6 months to get better....and to this day, she deals with constant fatigue, aching body, and other symptoms.

I am just curious what qualifies as chronic EBV vs.just the 95% of people with previous EB infection?

[Quixotic1]

No, it shows the usual lifelong antibodies that one makes after the intial infection.

In the disputed condition of chronic EBV infection you have evidence that the virus is continuing to replicate actively in the body.  So you get ongoing "antigen" production.  This antigen is one of the proteins that make up the virus.  So when the antigen is persistently present you know that the bugger is still there making copies of itself.

Quix

[daisy.girl]

thank you!
....does this indicate chronic epstein barr?

[Quixotic1]

This indicates a previous infection with the EB Virus at some time in the past.  95% of people will have finding like this.  

Did you ever have the most severe form of the EB virus, Mononucleosis?  Hi fever, severe sore throat and swollen glands, enlarged liver and/or spleen, severe fatigue?

Quix