What is VCA IgM?

What is VCA IgM?

Presence of VCA IgM antibodies indicates recent primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The presence of VCA IgG antibodies indicates infection sometime in the past. Antibodies to EBNA develop 6 to 8 weeks after primary infection and are detectable for life.

How long does VCA IgM stay positive?

Viral capsid antigen (VCA) Anti-VCA IgM appears early in EBV infection and usually disappears within four to six weeks.

How do you read Epstein-Barr results?

Understanding the results

1. If the antibody called VCA IgG is present, the Epstein-Barr virus has occurred at some time recently or in the past.
2. If the VCA IgM antibody is present without the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), the virus is likely to be currently active or occurred very recently.

What is EBV VCA IgA positive?

A positive serum IgA VCA titer indicates previous repeated infection by the virus or frequent reactivation of latent EBV in B cells. This has been used as a screening tool to identify subjects at high risk of NPC,4,5 as well as being a diagnostic criteria for undifferentiated NPC.

What is the normal range for EBV blood test?

Optimal Result: 0 - 17.9 U/mL. EBV-VCA, IgG is an antibody (protein) that is produced by the body in an immune response to an Epstein-Barr virus antigen. EBV stands for Epstein-Barr virus. Epstein-Barr virus is a virus that typically causes a mild to moderate illness.

Does EBV stay in your system forever?

EBV never truly goes away. Even if the symptoms subside, the virus will remain inactive inside your body until it is reactivated by a trigger. Some triggers include stress, a weakened immune system, taking immunosuppressants, or hormonal changes such as menopause.

What cell population is typically infected by EBV?

In healthy hosts, B lymphocytes and epithelial cells are the cellular targets for EBV primary infection. However, the EBV can infect a wide range of non-B lymphocytes, and it critically affects the development and pathogenesis of EBV-related diseases (63).

How do you live with Epstein Barr virus?

Although no medicine can cure an EBV infection, you can take these steps at home to ease your symptoms:

1. Get plenty of rest.
2. Drink a lot of water and other liquids to stay hydrated.
3. Suck on lozenges or ice pops, or gargle with warm salt water, to make your sore throat feel better.

What are normal EBV numbers?

Optimal Result: 0 - 17.9 U/mL. EBV-VCA, IgG is an antibody (protein) that is produced by the body in an immune response to an Epstein-Barr virus antigen. EBV stands for Epstein-Barr virus. Epstein-Barr virus is a virus that typically causes a mild to moderate illness.

Does Epstein-Barr ever go away?

EBV never truly goes away. Even if the symptoms subside, the virus will remain inactive inside your body until it is reactivated by a trigger. Some triggers include stress, a weakened immune system, taking immunosuppressants, or hormonal changes such as menopause.

What does a positive EBV VCA IgG mean?

• The presence of VCA IgG antibodies indicates that an EBV infection has occurred at some time recently or in the past. The presence of VCA IgM antibodies and the absence of antibodies to EBNA mean that the infection has occurred recently. The presence of antibodies to EBNA means that the infection occurred in the past.

Does IgM indicate current infection?

• To recap, depending on the numbers, IgM is a sign of a current infection. IgG is a sign of a current infection, or of a past exposure to or past infection by the organism.".

What does low level of IgM mean?

• IgM and IgA: Low levels of IgA and IgM may mean that you have an immune deficiency. If they are only slightly low and your igg is normal and you are able to respond to vaccines and do not have a lot of infections, there may be nothing to worry about.

What is IgM and IgG antibodies?

• Both (IgM) and (IgG) are types of immunoglobulin proteins found in the immune system to fight against infections. They are antibodies synthesized by the plasma cells to bind with specific foreign antigens, which enter the body followed by infections.