Table 5.

Quality assessment checklist.

Criteria	Additional description for clarity when needed
1. Clear objectives and methodology of proposed study
2. Masked assessment of outcome (analysis blinded)
3. Details of formulation, dosage, and route of vaccine being administered
4. Negative immunization controls included
5. Positive immunization controls included
6. Timing of specimen collection stated	Did the study describe the schedule of blood and/or organ collection?
7. Duration of the study stated	Did the study explicitly state the period of observation or indicate the sacrifice of the study animals?
8. Toxicity evaluation of the vaccination	Did the study evaluate the safety of the vaccine tested in the study animals?
9. Sample size calculation or N=5/group
10. Retrievable neutralization assay data
11. Titer/infectivity information for virus used for neutralization provided	Did the study provide any infectivity information of the EBV batch used for in vitro neutralization assays or for in vivo challenge experiments?
12. Neutralization concentrations/dilutions provided	Did the study provide information regarding serum/plasma/antibody concentration or dilution used in neutralization assays?
13. Neutralization timepoint provided	Did the study indicate the timepoint of antibody/serum/plasma sample(s) used in reference to the study schedule?
14. Statistical analysis performed
15. Statistical analysis methods provided
16. Statement of compliance with regulatory requirements
17. Statement regarding possible conflict of interest
18. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal