Epstein-Barr virus infections in childhood

IgM and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen and antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen and heterophil antibodies were investigated in 115 paired sera of children with acute infections and in 100 sera of healthy controls of the same age and sex. EBV-specific IgM antibodies could be recognized in 13.7% of the patients and in 7% of the controls. Antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen were not detected in the IgM-positive sera.