One possible explanation for this apparent discrepant finding is that, unlike VCA, which is produced in the late lytic phase of EBV infection (ie, in its final stages when the virus has replicated in the host and viral particles are being formed), EBNA1, the primary antigen targeted by the anti‐EBV EA‐EBNA1 IgA assay used, is produced during the latency phase of EBV infection and is therefore less likely to reflect mucosal exposure.35, 36. Here, CD79A is linked to Epstein-Barr virus infection.