ELISA for the detection of serum and saliva IgA against the BMRFI gene product of Epstein-Barr virus.

The BMRF1 protein is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase accessory protein that forms part of the early antigen diffuse (EA-D) component. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of IgA antibody to the BMRF1 protein of EBV in saliva and serum samples. The assay was shown to be specific for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and, when used with saliva alone, to have a sensitivity comparable to an existing indirect immunoperoxidase assay for early antigens. The sensitivity of the assay could be significantly enhanced to 86% by the use of paired saliva and serum samples.