Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA), IgG

TEST: 096230
Test number copied
CPT: 86665
Print Share

Synonyms

  • EBV-VCA Antibodies, IgG

Expected Turnaround Time

1 - 2 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Documents

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum

Volume

0.5 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Container

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Storage Instructions

Room temperature

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x4

Causes for Rejection

Hemolysis; lipemia; grossly icteric; visible particulate matter; gross bacterial contamination

Test Details

Use

Differential diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. VCA IgG antibodies appear early in EBV infection and titers peak between 2-4 weeks after the appearance of symptoms. IgG levels decline slightly but persist for life. The presence of VCA IgG antibodies in healthy individuals indicates immunological exposure to EBV either as silent primary infection or past exposure. Because of the complex relationship that exists between the EBV virus/host reaction and clinical manifestation, tracking of EBV antibody patterns may assist in diagnosis of EBV infection. Individual levels of specific antibodies are not necessarily indicative of disease state but can be of diagnostic significance when tracked as an antibody response profile. Antibody response profiles for the different EBV antigens demonstrate a characteristic pattern for silent primary or persistent latent EBV infections, as well as for each of the EBV-associated disease.

Limitations

The results for this test are not by themselves diagnostic and should be considered in association with other clinical data and patient symptoms.

This test is intended for qualitative determination only. The numeric value of the final result above the cutoff is not indicative of the amount of EBV-VCA antibody.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)

Reference Interval

• Negative: <18.0 U/mL

• Equivocal: 18.0−21.9 U/mL

• Positive: >21.9 U/mL

Additional Information

Set up and reported Monday thru Friday.

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
096230 EBV Ab VCA, IgG 5157-3 096235 EBV Ab VCA, IgG U/mL 5157-3

For Providers

Please login to order a test

Order a Test

© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CPT Statement/Profile Statement

The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf