Detection and quantification of cell-free Epstein-Barr virus by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA enzyme immunoassay. |
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| Authors: | W Zingg W Bossart E Berli D Nadal |
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| Affiliation: | Infectious Diseases Unit, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. |
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| Abstract: | Amplification by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) were employed to determine the number of genome equivalents of cell-free Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA in peripheral blood. The assay detected cell-free EBV DNA in the serum of 14 out of 18 patients with primary, productive EBV infection (sensitivity 77.7%) but not in healthy EBV carriers with latent infection (specificity 100%). Our assay has the potential for a clinical diagnostic tool to monitor patients at risk for EBV reactivation and productive infection with subsequent EBV-induced lymphoproliferative diseases. |
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