Blood draw
EBV (Infectious Mononucleosis)
EBV serology; recent or past infection.
€ 78,00
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Infections · Blood
EBNA IgG
Antibodies against the Epstein-Barr virus that only develop months after the infection; fit a case of mononucleosis some time ago.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 1 test panel
- No special preparation
Explanation
EBNA IgG: what is measured?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes mononucleosis (glandular fever) and stays dormant in the body for life after the infection. EBNA IgG are antibodies against a protein from the cell nucleus of cells infected with the virus (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen). They only appear 2 to 3 months after the first infection and usually remain present after that. EBNA IgG is assessed together with VCA IgG and VCA IgM to distinguish a recent infection from an old one.
What can it detect?
- A past EBV infection from more than 2 to 3 months ago
- Together with VCA IgM and VCA IgG: distinguishing between recent mononucleosis and an old infection
Result
What does the result mean?
Positive result
A positive EBNA IgG means you have had the Epstein-Barr virus at some point and that the first infection was probably more than 2 to 3 months ago. Together with a positive VCA IgG and a negative VCA IgM, this fits an old infection. Symptoms you have now are then usually not caused by recent mononucleosis. This is a very common result: most adults have already had the virus, often without noticing.
Negative result
A negative EBNA IgG can mean two things. If VCA IgG is also negative, you have probably never had the virus. If VCA IgG or VCA IgM is positive, this fits an infection less than a few months ago, as in active mononucleosis. In a small share of people, no EBNA antibodies are formed or they disappear later, especially with reduced immunity; the result is then harder to interpret.
After an abnormal result
With a pattern that fits an old infection, no follow-up is needed for EBV; with persistent symptoms, the GP looks for another cause. With an unclear pattern, the laboratory can do a confirmation test or the test is repeated after a few weeks. Mononucleosis is not notifiable.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
According to the test guide of UMC Utrecht, EBNA IgG serves to show a past infection and the test is always combined: with VCA IgG for the question of whether someone has had the virus, and with VCA IgG and VCA IgM for the question of a recent infection. The pattern of the three tests together can usually be interpreted well; a single EBNA IgG says little. With an unclear pattern, the laboratory can do an additional confirmation test.
What can affect the result?
- EBNA IgG only appears 2 to 3 months after the first infection; early in the illness the test is negative.
- With reduced immunity, EBNA IgG can be absent or disappear, which can make an old infection look like a recent one.
- Test methods and cut-off values differ by laboratory.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
The result says the most with symptoms that fit mononucleosis, such as a sore throat, fever, swollen glands and marked tiredness, especially in teenagers and young adults, or to find out whether someone has already had the virus, for example before a transplant. In people without symptoms, and with long-lasting tiredness without such a clinical picture, a positive IgG says little, because most adults have already had the virus.
How common is it?
Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus is very common in the Netherlands: half of the population over 5 years old has had the infection, and most adults had it before the age of twenty, usually without noticing. In teenagers and young adults the infection more often causes symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, swollen glands and tiredness that can last 2 to 3 months.
RIVM, mononucleosis (glandular fever)
Drawbacks and risks
- A result that fits an old infection can wrongly be seen as the explanation for long-lasting tiredness, while it only shows a very common past infection.
Get tested
EBNA IgG: test panels
EBNA IgG is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and resultsMore explanations
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