LymeNet Flash: Questions about EBV and HHV-6 results

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Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :

I was tested recently for some viruses.

The ones that came back positive or questionable was EBV and HHV-6.

But the EBV Chronic/Active Infection
EBV Early Antigen Ab, IgG was 0.2 which means negative.

But the EBV Ab VCA, IgG was 5.3 which is HIGH (normal range is 0.0 - 0.8).
And the EBV Nuclear Antigen Ab, IgG was >8.0 (normal range is 0.0 - 0.8) which is HIGH.

What does this mean? That it's an old infection and that it's not active anymore and not to worry about it? Or does it mean that it needs to be treated still?

Also, my HHV-6 was 1:80 which is equivocal...not sure exactly what that means anyway.

Anyone havev any ideas? Do I need to be treated for these viruses or not?

Thanks!

Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :

I am not 100% on that account myself .I have similar labs . Seems like you need test for early capsid antibody (which is logical -as its indicates actively spreading virus)

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/ebv.htm

Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :

Geez, I just had all these other tests done and now I have to have MORE? I just want an answer. [Frown]

Posted by johnnywv (Member # 23012) on :

my ebv was a little high also.

i read on here somewhere that most of us have a

high ebv.

Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :

disturbedme~

Here is some info on EBV:

Here is a link to an article about chronic EBV infection:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/111088889/PDFSTART

These authors find EBV VCA IgG of >=1:640 and EA of >=1:160 in patients with chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV).

This link gives additional info:

http://www.vicd.info/testing.html

Dr. Montoya's criteria for participation in his recent research is at this link:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00478465?order=1

The criteria he used is:

Patients with "high" antibody titers against HHV-6 IgG ≥ 640, EBV VCA IgG ≥ 640 and detectable EA Ab at 1:160 or HHV-6 IgG ≥ 320 if EBV VCA IgG ≥ 1280 and has detectable EA Ab at 1:160 (measured by the average of a minimum of two time points obtained during screening at least 3 weeks apart).

The reference ranges used are different from your lab. To be sure, you could get tested at Focus Diagnostics lab, or a lab which uses the reference range that is like those mentioned above.

Focus Diagnostics lab is also a good lab for HHV-6 testing. For info on testing at Focus lab see:
http://hhv6foundation.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=testing&action=display&thread=26

The values that you have from that lab do not seem remarkably high. However, to be sure, you may want to consider retesting at Focus.

Best, Timaca

Posted by LizaLu (Member # 21483) on :

EBV is Epstein Bar right? I know i have it, but my Nurse Practitioner says 90 % of the adult population do. I don't know---is there treatment for it?

Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :

I think it goes back to 80% of lymies having KPU as Dr. K. described in one of his seminars. One of the issues of KPU is your body is shedding too much zinc. I think Dr. K. stated too little zinc and your immune system has rifles with no bullets. Well zinc is one of the treatments for EBV. So you might want to consider testing for KPU and it might improve you immune system and lower viral load at the same time.

Just a thought I think I got right, well maybe someone could corroborate who is very familiar with KPU.

Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

I have hugely high EBV titers, and take Zinc.