Detection and quantification of cell-free Epstein-Barr virus by polymerasechain reaction and subsequent DNA enzyme immunoassay

Amplification by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA enzyme immuno assay (DEIA) were employed to determine the number of genome equivalents of cell-free Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in peripheral blood. The assay dete cted cell-free EBV DNA in the serum of 14 out of is patients with primary, productive EBV infection (sensitivity 77.7%) but not in healthy EBV carrier s with latent infection (specificity 100%). Our assay has the potential for a clinical diagnostic tool to monitor patients at risk for EBV reactivatio n and productive infection with subsequent EBV-induced lymphoproliferative diseases. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.