I had bloods done and the EBV IgG was reactive which means evidence of past EBV infection more than 8 weeks ago, the autoantibody screen showed positive nuclear antibody with homogenous HEp2 pattern. Does anyone know what all this means?
Usually, a chronic EBV panel will include the following:
Test results most likely indicate the following (from
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ebv/tab/test):
VCA-IgM VCA-IgG EA-D, IgG EBNA, IgG Possible Interpretation
Negative Negative Negative Negative No infection, symptoms due to another cause, susceptible to EBV infection
Positive Positive Negative Negative Early, primary infection
Negative or positive Positive Positive Negative Active infection, though EA-D IgG may persist for life in about 20% of people
Negative Positive Negative Positive Past infection
Negative Positive Positive Positive May indicate reactivation of virus
So there is more to the picture than just one positive IgG level. I would find out what test you had done and get the others to see if they are positive as well. If they are very strongly positive, some people also thinks that indicates a greater chance of a reactivated infection.
The ANA screen is totally separate and is used to help confirm a diagnosis of autoimmune disease. It can be false positive in 13% of cases according to this article though so it is just a jumping off point and may or may not be meaningful.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110104071651.htm
A homogenous pattern may be associated with lupus or connective tissue disorder so these need to be ruled in/out.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test
Here are some common follow up tests to a positive ANA:
"In people with a positive ANA, more tests are usually performed to check for other antibodies that can help to confirm the diagnosis. Certain autoantibodies and substances in the blood can give information about which autoimmune disease, if any, is present. To check for these antibodies, doctors usually order what is called an ANA panel, which checks for the following antibodies: anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Smith, anti-U1RNP, anti-Ro/SSA, and anti-La/SSB. Some laboratories also include other antibodies in their panel, including antinucleoprotein, anticentromere, or antihistone."
http://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-tests/lupus-blood-tests/
But they both give you a good place to start to follow up. Hopefully your doctor has ordered more testing?
Ema
