BACKGROUND: IgA antibody titers to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (EBV IgA-VCA) and to the EBV early antigen (EBV IgA-EA) are used to screen for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of EBV IgA-VCA and EBV IgA-EA titers in screening patients for NPC and in those diagnosed with NPC at our institution. METHODS: The NPC status was determined for all patients who had their EBV IgA-VCA and EBV-IgA EA titers measured over a 3-year period, and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: Five thousand one hundred ninety-six samples were analyzed. NPC was diagnosed in 215 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of a raised EBV IgA-VCA titer (> or =1:5) for diagnosing NPC were 89% and 80%, respectively, with a raised EbV IgA-EA titer (> or =1:5) having a sensitivity and specificity of 63% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the EBV IgA-VCA titer is sensitive for the diagnosis of NPC, it should not be used as the sole means of screening for NPC in a population in which NPC is endemic. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BACKGROUND: IgA antibody titers to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (EBV IgA-VCA) and to the EBV early antigen (EBV IgA-EA) are used to screen for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of EBV IgA-VCA and EBV IgA-EA titers in screening patients for NPC and in those diagnosed with NPC at our institution. METHODS: The NPC status was determined for all patients who had their EBV IgA-VCA and EBV-IgA EA titers measured over a 3-year period, and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: Five thousand one hundred ninety-six samples were analyzed. NPC was diagnosed in 215 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of a raised EBV IgA-VCA titer (> or =1:5) for diagnosing NPC were 89% and 80%, respectively, with a raised EbV IgA-EA titer (> or =1:5) having a sensitivity and specificity of 63% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the EBV IgA-VCA titer is sensitive for the diagnosis of NPC, it should not be used as the sole means of screening for NPC in a population in which NPC is endemic. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Authors: A D King; A C Vlantis; R K Y Tsang; T M K Gary; A K Y Au; C Y Chan; S Y Kok; W T Kwok; H K Lui; A T Ahuja Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2006 Jun-Jul Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Zhe Zhang; Di Sun; Susanna Hilda Hutajulu; Imran Nawaz; Do Nguyen Van; Guangwu Huang; Sofia M Haryana; Jaap M Middeldorp; Ingemar Ernberg; Li-Fu Hu Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Xiuchan Guo; Cheryl A Winkler; Ji Li; Li Guan; Minzhong Tang; Jian Liao; Hong Deng; Guy de Thé; Yi Zeng; Stephen J O'Brien Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2014-08-10 Impact factor: 3.411