Detection of Epstein-Barr virus-coded antigens in lymphocytes isolated from defined patient samples.

A preliminary report on the use of specific rabbit antisera raised to Epstein-Barr virus-coded antigens (EBNA and EA) for detection of these antigens in vivo is presented. Human lymphocytes were isolated on isokinetic gradients and the C3 receptor-bearing B-lymphocyte subpopulation was isolated, providing an enriched source of EBV-infected lymphocytes. Such technology was employed to establish the status of the EBV host-cell complex in recurrent exudative tonsillitis (RET), infectious mononucleosis (IM), and Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. Only EBNA was detected in the lymphocytes from the tonsils of RET patients and the peripheral blood of IM patients. However, the spleen and lymph-nodes of patients with lymphomas had lymphocytes synthesizing EBNA and EA.