Abstract
To the Editor.— Based on eight years of clinical experience and having performed many thousands of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serological assays with emphasis on IgG anti-early antigen I cannot agree with the conclusion of Hellinger et al1that the antibody to EBV early antigen is not helpful in the clinical evaluation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. The initial suspicion of a direct etiologic link between EBV and chronic fatigue syndrome has yielded to the probability that EBV reactivation is a secondary phenomenon related to a primary, transient immune dysfunction, the cause of which is currently unknown. In contrast to all other EBV serological markers, which reflect only previous infection, anti-early antigen does rise and fall with clinical activity of the signs and symptoms used to define the chronic fatigue syndrome.2Although not diagnostic, it is a useful therapeutic marker when initially found in significant elevation (ie, ≥1:80).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
