Test Details
Methodology
Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)
Result Turnaround Time
1 - 2 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Differential diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. VCA IgG antibodies appear early in EBV infection and titers peak between 2-4 weeks after the appearance of symptoms. IgG levels decline slightly but persist for life. The presence of VCA IgG antibodies in healthy individuals indicates immunological exposure to EBV either as silent primary infection or past exposure. Because of the complex relationship that exists between the EBV virus/host reaction and clinical manifestation, tracking of EBV antibody patterns may assist in diagnosis of EBV infection. Individual levels of specific antibodies are not necessarily indicative of disease state but can be of diagnostic significance when tracked as an antibody response profile. Antibody response profiles for the different EBV antigens demonstrate a characteristic pattern for silent primary or persistent latent EBV infections, as well as for each of the EBV-associated disease.
Limitations
The results for this test are not by themselves diagnostic and should be considered in association with other clinical data and patient symptoms.
This test is intended for qualitative determination only. The numeric value of the final result above the cutoff is not indicative of the amount of EBV-VCA antibody.
Custom Additional Information
Set up and reported Monday thru Friday.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x4 |
Reference Range
• Negative: <18.0 U/mL
• Equivocal: 18.0−21.9 U/mL
• Positive: >21.9 U/mL
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; lipemia; grossly icteric; visible particulate matter; gross bacterial contamination
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 096230 | EBV Ab VCA, IgG | 5157-3 | 096235 | EBV Ab VCA, IgG | U/mL | 5157-3 |
| Order Code | 096230 | |||||
| Order Code Name | EBV Ab VCA, IgG | |||||
| Order Loinc | 5157-3 | |||||
| Result Code | 096235 | |||||
| Result Code Name | EBV Ab VCA, IgG | |||||
| UofM | U/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 5157-3 |