ELISA FOR THE DETECTION OF SERUM AND SALIVA IGA AGAINST THE BMRFI GENE-PRODUCT OF EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS

The BMRF1 protein is an Epstein-Barrvirus (EBV) DNA polymerase accesso ry protein that forms part of the early antigen diffuse (EA-D) compone nt. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of IgA antibody to the BMRF1 protein of EBV in saliva and s erum samples. The assay was shown to be specific for nasopharyngeal ca rcinoma (NPC) patients and, when used with saliva alone, to have a sen sitivity comparable to an existing indirect immunoperoxidase assay for early antigens. The sensitivity of the assay could be significantly e nhanced to 86% by the use of paired saliva and serum samples. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.