This assay employs a two-site sandwich ELISA to quantitate EBv-IgG in samples. An antibody specific for EBv-IgG has been pre-coated onto a microplate. Standards and samples are pipetted into the wells and any EBv-IgG present is bound by the immobilized antibody. After removing any unbound substances, a biotin-conjugated antibody specific for EBv-IgG is added to the wells. After washing, Streptavidin conjugated Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) is added to the wells. Following a wash to remove any unbound avidin-enzyme reagent, a substrate solution is added to the wells and color develops in proportion to the amount of EBv-IgG bound in the initial step. The color development is stopped and the intensity of the color is measured.
 

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also called human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is one of eight known viruses in the herpes family, and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever). It is also associated with particular forms of cancer, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and conditions associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), such as hairy leukoplakia and central nervous system lymphomas. There is evidence that infection with EBV is associated with a higher risk of certain autoimmune diseases, especially dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sj鰃ren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Some 200,000 cancer cases per year are thought to be attributable to EBV.