[Evaluation of IgG and IgA type antibodies to capsid and early antigens of the Epstein-Barr virus in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is related with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in that, in this neoplasm, high levels of antibodies are found vs different EBV antigens. METHODS: The determinations of IgG and IgA type antibodies were evaluated vs capsid antigens (VCA) and early antigen (EA) of the EBV by indirect immunofluorescence in 14 patients diagnosed with NPC, in 12 patients with other tumors of the head and neck and in 61 blood donors. RESULTS: The detection of IgA type antibodies with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 92% for the VCA antigen and of 86% and 100% for the EA antigen are the most useful tests in the early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The determination of IgG type antibodies were of a more limited usefulness with sensitivities and specificities of 86% and 67% for IgG anti-VCA and 100% and 83% of IgG anti-EA. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of antibodies vs VCA and EA antigens is useful in the differential diagnosis of NPC with other tumors of the head and neck.