Serologic profile of Epstein-Barr virus infection in acute infectious mononucleosis

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine classes of antibodies in different clinical forms of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) primary infections. The investigation included 100 patients with acute mononucleosis who were hospitalized at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Novi Sad during 1995-1997. Apart from clinical and laboratory parameters, 5 different ELISA assays were performed: IgM EBVVCA, IgG EBVVCA, IgG EBNA, IgA EBVEA and IgG EBVEA. All patients were IgM EBVVCA positive, only 42% IgG EBVVCA positive and 6% IgG EBNA positive. Antibodies due to EBVEA IgA were established in 58% of patients and IgG class in 41%. Serologic profile of early EBV primary infection was established in 25%, acute EBV primary infection in 69% and late EBV primary infection in 6%. A statistically significant difference regarding absolute lymphocyte count and serologic response to early antigens of EBV infection was established in patients with positive findings. Clinical findings in the throat correlated with serologic response to early EBV proteins. We didn't find any correlation due to duration of illness, fever, clinical forms of EBV primary infection and liver damage. Paul Bunnell test was positive only in 42% of our patients, with significantly higher number of negative results in groups of early and late EBV primary infections.