Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). VI. Incidence of EBV antibodies in patients with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases.

Serum samples from 52 patients with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases and 12 clinically healthy subjects were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) reaction for the presence of specific EB antibodies anti-VCA and active EBV infection. The tests revealed EB antibodies anti-VCA in 32 patients with lymphoproliferative diseases and in 2 clinically healthy subjects and active EBV infection in 18/32 and in 0/2 EB anti-VCA positive patients and clinically healthy subjects, respectively.