What does a positive IgG antibody for EB virus RTA protein indicate?
Feb 22, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
A positive IgG antibody test for EB virus RTA protein generally indicates that the patient was previously infected with EB virus and has either recovered or is currently being infected. A positive EB virus antibody test serves as an auxiliary indicator in diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Long-term EB virus infection may potentially lead to nasopharyngeal cancer; however, in clinical practice, most patients with positive EB virus antibodies do not have nasopharyngeal cancer.
EB virus RTA protein IgG antibody positivity generally indicates that the patient was previously infected with EB virus and has since recovered, or is currently being infected.
Positive EB virus RTA protein IgG antibodies suggest that the patient is currently in the phase of EB virus infection, with the virus present in the body, which may lead to symptoms such as pharyngitis, fever, and runny nose. However, a positive EB virus RTA protein IgG antibody can also indicate a past infection. After EB virus infection, the body's immune system produces specific antibodies against different viral antigens; IgG antibodies typically appear around 10 days after infection, indicating that the patient has entered the recovery phase and the disease has resolved. EB virus antibody positivity serves as an auxiliary indicator for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Long-term EB virus infection may increase the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer, although clinically, most patients with positive EB virus antibodies do not have nasopharyngeal cancer.
In addition, if patients with positive EB virus RTA protein IgG antibodies do not exhibit any symptoms, no special treatment is required. For those experiencing fever or sore throat, medications such as ribavirin tablets or antiviral oral solution may be used under medical guidance.
