Epstein-Barr Virus Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epstein-Barr Virus, including details on ebv, infectious mononucleosis, glandular fever, chronic fatigue.

Plasma Epstein-Barr virus immunoglobulin A and DNA for nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening in the United States.

O TM, Yu G, Hu K, Li JC

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otolaryngology, New York, NY 10003, USA. tminjungo@yahoo.com

OBJECTIVE: To examine the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgA and DNA assays as a screening tool for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a nonendemic US population. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study performed at a teaching hospital in New York City. There were two groups of 155 patients: new NPC patients and controls. An otolaryngologic examination and serial blood testing for serologic markers were performed. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of EBV IgA and DNA assays were determined. Screening scenarios involving series and parallel testing were evaluated to determine economic feasibility. Series testing provided a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 90.6, 93.5, 78.4, and 97.5 percent, respectively. Parallel testing increased the sensitivity to 100 percent. CONCLUSION: NPC screening in a high-risk, nonendemic population using EBV-specific serologic markers is effective. Series testing is a statistically sound and economically feasible strategy. SIGNIFICANCE: The development of a cost-effective NPC screening strategy in a high-risk, nonendemic population in the United States.

Published 5 June 2007 in Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 136(6): 992-7.
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