Table 6.
Tests | Advantages | Disadvantages |
EBV IgM immunoblotting | Useful only in verifying the specificity of EBV IgM | Not useful in distinguishing late primary infection (transient) from reactivation; expensive |
HCMV IgM Parvovirus IgM | Useful in verifying the specificity of EBV IgM | Not useful in distinguishing late primary infection (transient) from reactivation |
EBV IgG immunoblotting | Only useful in verifying the specificity of EBNA-1 IgG | Not useful in distinguishing late primary infection (transient) from reactivation; expensive |
IgG avidity | Useful in distinguishing primary infection (transient) from reactivation | Individual maturation |
Molecular biology | Useful for EBV reactivation follow-up | Difficult to distinguish late primary infection (transient) from reactivation in a single sample; expensive; organisational problems |
Heterophile antibodies | Useful in distinguishing late primary infection (transient) reactivation when positive; inexpensive and simple | Not very sensitive (especially in children) |
Anti-EA(D) IgG | Useful for EBV reactivation follow-up | Not useful in distinguishing late primary infection (transient) from reactivation in a single sample |
CLIA for EBV antibodies with differential cut-off values | Useful in distinguishing primary infection (transient) from past infection; can be used for screening | Requires further study |
EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; EBNA: EBV nuclear antigen; CLIA: Chemiluminescence immunoassay.