Table 1.

Laboratory Tests for EBV

Name	Purpose
In situ hybridization	Identify EBER transcripts or EBV DNA in specific cell types within histologic lesions
EBV clonality assay by Southern blot analysis	Assess clonality of lesions with respect to EBV DNA structure; distinguish latent from replicative infection based on the episomal versus linear structure of the EBV genome
EBV DNA amplification	Detect viral DNA in patient tissues; disease specificity is lacking
EBV viral load	Quantitate EBV DNA in blood or body fluids to monitor disease status over time
Immunohistochemistry (LMP1, EBNA1, EBNA2, LMP2A, BZLF1)	Identify EBV protein expression in specific cell types within histologic lesions; distinguish latent from replicative infection based on expression profiles
Culture of EBV or of EBV-infected B lymphocytes	Detect and semiquantitatively measure infectious virions or latently-infected B lymphocytes; impractical for routine clinical use
Electron microscopy	Identify whole virions representing replicative viral infection; impractical for routine clinical use
Serology (VCA, EBNA, EA, heterophile antibodies)	Measure antibody response to viral proteins in serum samples; distinguish acute from remote infection; monitor disease status over time