QUESTION: If a patient is positive for antibodies for EBV VCA IgG, EBV EA IgG, EBV NA IgG and negative for antibodies for EBV VCA IgM, does this indicate the tail-end of a primary infection or a re-activation? CBC and CMP unremarkable.
ANSWER: Positive EaIgG indicates an active reinfection (or maybe primary IF IgM is positive.) EaIgG does take 3-4 months after ‘clearing’ the virus to go negative – SO if they have no real EBV Sx like fatigue etc, they are likely at tail end.