Evaluation of Architect® EBV Antibody Panel Results and EBV Diagnostic Algorithms

Abstract

Objective: In the study, it is aimed to analyze the results of EBV-specific VCA IgM, VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG antibodies, to obtain seroepidemiological data and to evaluate the usability of EBV test algorithms and their effects on cost. Methods: The test results of the patients whose EBV serology was evaluated with the Architect® (Abbott) device in the Serology Laboratory between January 2018 and December 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. The effects of two different test algorithms initiated according to the anti-VCA and anti-EBNA results were examined.Results: During the study period, 6529 serum samples were evaluated. The EBV seropositivity rate was 86%, and the most common EBV clinical profile was 'past infection'. Atypical EBV profile rate was 12.6%, and positivity of all three tests together and isolated VCA IgG positivity were common. While the anti-VCA (VCA IgM/VCA IgG) approach makes it unnecessary to use the EBNA-1 IgG test in 14.8% of all cases, the anti-EBNA (EBNA-1 IgG) approach makes it unnecessary to use VCA IgM-VCA IgG tests in 76.7% of all cases. It was determined that isolated EBNA-1 IgG cases in the anti-VCA approach and reactivation cases in the anti-EBNA approach could be misinterpreted. Conclusion:The seropositivity rate determined in our study is consistent with the data of our country. The EBNA-1 IgG approach reduces testing costs by approximately 50%, and it has been concluded that this algorithm can be applied in immunocompetent individuals.