Heterophile, Mono Screen
Also known as: Infectious Mononucleosis, Mono Screen
Use
Heterophile antibodies, in patients with infectious mononucleosis, may be present as early as the fourth day of illness, and by the twenty‑first day of illness, 90% of patients will exhibit a positive test. The Epstein‑Barr virus causes infectious mononucleosis. (Note: absence of heterophile antibodies may occur frequently in children and in about 10% of adults; in such cases, EBV‑specific antibody testing is applicable.)
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
Failure to develop heterophile antibodies occurs frequently in children and in about 10% of adults with infectious mononucleosis. Less than 2% false‑positives have occurred in patients with Hodgkin disease, acute lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, infectious hepatitis, pancreatic carcinoma, cytomegalovirus, Burkitt lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, malaria and rubella.
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
Transport tube or red‑top tube (serum separator tube also acceptable)
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 4 days |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant