DNA-DNA dot hybridization to detect Epstein-Barr virus in throat washings

To compare the abilities of the nucleic acid dot hybridization assay and the cord blood lymphocyte transformation assay to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we examined throat washings from healthy control subjects (nine EBV-seronegative and 51 EBV-seropositive), patients with acute infectious mononucleosis, and renal transplant recipients. The dot hybridization assay detected EBV excretion in four (8%) of the EBV-seropositive controls; three of these four were also positive by the lymphocyte transformation assay. Throat washings from seven (87.5%) of eight patients with acute infectious mononucleosis were positive by both assays. EBV was present in throat washings from 13 (50%) of 26 renal transplant recipients. For specimens stored at -70 C for less than four months, the dot hybridization assay had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 98% when compared with the lymphocyte transformation assay. The dot hybridization assay is a rapid, sensitive, and specific test that can be performed on readily available clinical specimens.