Table 5.

Additional tests in the case of an isolated viral capsid antigen IgG pattern

Tests	Advantages	Disadvantages
EBV IgG immunoblotting	Useful in distinguishing acute from past infection	Individual antibody production; expensive
IgG avidity	Useful in distinguishing acute from past infection	Individual maturation. Not useful in newborns
Molecular biology	Useful in distinguishing acute from past infection	Uncorrected conservation of blood sample, presence of nucleasis; expensive; organisational problems
Heterophile antibodies	Useful in distinguishing acute from past infection if positive; inexpensive and simple	Not very sensitive (especially in children)
Anti-EA(D) IgG	Of some use in distinguishing acute from past infection; costs the same as a screening test	Not useful in at least 10% of cases

EBV: Epstein-Barr virus.