Identification of type A and B isolates of Epstein-Barr virus by polymerase chain reaction

A method is described for the identification of type A and type B isolates of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by means of the polymerase chain reaction. The use of three pairs of primers specific for genomic sequences coding for the two forms of EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA), 2A and 2B, and for a DNA sequence from the BamZ/BamR region allows the reliable and rapid detection of type A and B viruses in as little as 1000 EBV positive cells.