Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA), IgG

Also known as: EBV-VCA Antibodies, IgG

Clinical Use

Use

Differential diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. VCA IgG antibodies appear early in EBV infection and titers peak between 2-4 weeks after the appearance of symptoms. IgG levels decline slightly but persist for life. The presence of VCA IgG antibodies in healthy individuals indicates immunological exposure to EBV either as silent primary infection or past exposure. Because of the complex relationship that exists between the EBV virus/host reaction and clinical manifestation, tracking of EBV antibody patterns may assist in diagnosis of EBV infection. Individual levels of specific antibodies are not necessarily indicative of disease state but can be of diagnostic significance when tracked as an antibody response profile. Antibody response profiles for the different EBV antigens demonstrate a characteristic pattern for silent primary or persistent latent EBV infections, as well as for each of the EBV-associated disease.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

This test's results are not independently diagnostic and should be considered alongside other clinical data and patient symptoms. It is intended for qualitative determination only, and the numeric value of the result above the cutoff is not indicative of the amount of EBV-VCA antibody.

Test Details