Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Panel

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Panel from Immunosciences Lab (ISL)

Although this panel is known for detecting antibodies to various components of EBV in patients with mononucleosis, it is also useful in helping to detect possible autoimmunity because EBV infection is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of many systemic autoimmune diseases, as shown in the figure below. Many studies have found increased levels of antibodies against EBV-VCA (Viral Capsid Antigen), Early Antigen (EA), and Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen (EBNA) in patients with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren’s Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Type-1 Diabetes, Celiac Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and more.

This induction of autoimmune disorders is mainly due to molecular mimicry or cross-reactivity between EBV antigens and human tissue proteins, which is why EBV has been called one of the
autoimmune viruses.

The EBV Panel is Best Used For The Following Patients

This panel is beneficial for a wide variety of patients with the following:

1. EBV infection resulting in infectious mononucleosis

2. Autoimmune diseases

3. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

4. Long COVID

The EBV Panel should be considered when the patient presents the following symptoms and conditions:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Enlarged tonsils
• Joint pain and swelling
• Skin problems
• Digestive issues
• Recurring fever
• Mononucleosis
• Fatigue, including chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Meningitis
• Encephalomyelitis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Long COVID
• Many autoimmune diseases.