Development and evaluation of an antibody capture ELISA for detection of IgG to Epstein-Barr virus in oral fluid samples

The development of an EBV IgG antibody capture ELISA (GACELISA) for detecti on of EBV viral capsid antigen specific IgG in oral fluids is described. Th e assay was optimised and evaluated using paired serum and oral fluid sampl es from healthy laboratory staff (n = 82) and oral fluids collected either for routine measles. mumps, and rubella testing (n = 629) or for an epidemi ological study of atopic dermatitis (n = 252). Statistical analysis by mixt ure modelling was used to determine the GACELISA cut-off and to estimate th e sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Sensitivity and specificity was also assessed by comparing the results of immunofluorescence assay for EBV specific IgG in serum with those of GACELISA in 82 matching oral fluids. C ompared to serum immunofluorescence assay, oral fluid GACELISA was found to have a sensitivity of 82.2 and 88.9% specificity with these samples. Mixtu re modelling, predicted the GACELISA to be 88.4% sensitive and of 99.4% spe cific. The prevalence of antibody to EBV in oral fluids was found to be 73. 8% in laboratory staff, 34.4-73.9% in measles, mumps, and rubella patients and 22.2% in atopic dermatitis study participants. A robust. reliable and r eproducible EBV GACELISA has been developed which will be a useful tool for epidemiological investigations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.