Determination of Ig G for the early antigen of the Epstein-Barr virus (HSV-IV) in the serum by the ELISA method

The Epstein–Barr virus belongs to the human herpes viruses of the 4th group. It tends to affect B lymphocytes and causes an acute disease in humans - infectious mononucleosis, and is also associated with the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, hairy leukoplakia and B-cell lymphoma. The virus is spread all over the world. In some countries, up to 95% of the population aged 40 years have previously been infected with it and have antibodies. The infection is transmitted with saliva. The peak incidence is observed in early childhood, as well as in adolescence.

Early Epstein-Barr virus antigens appear in the early phase of the lytic life cycle of the virus – in acute primary infection, as well as in the reactivation of infection with Epstein-Barr virus. IgG class antibodies to early antigens in acute infectious mononucleosis appear at 1-2 weeks of infection and disappear on average after 3-4 (up to 6) months. In most cases, the presence of antibodies to early antigens of Epstein-Barr virus is characteristic of acute infection. In the absence of antibodies to nuclear antigens, the presence of antibodies to early antigens is indicative of primary infection. Sometimes antibodies to early antigens in recovered people can persist for a long period. Antibodies to early antigens are also detected in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection, which is rare.