Department of Laboratory Medicine
University of Washington

Clinical assay interference and limitations

Monospot Heterophile Antibody [MONO]

Methodology: Seradyn Color Slide II

Interfering Substances and Assay Limitations:

Heterophile antibodies of infectious mononucleosis may be present as early as the fourth day to indicate a positive diagnosis, and practically always by the twenty-first day of illness persisting as long as several months. Infectious mononucleosis has been reported to be associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus. Positive heterophile tests have been reported with hepatitis, rubella, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Burkitt's lymphoma, and other pathological conditions. Since false positive and false negative results occur with all known tests, results should be correlated with clinical and hematological findings.  

Some segments of the population do not produce detectable heterophile antibody, e.g., approximately 50% of children under 4 years of age and 10% of adolescents.  Detectable levels of heterophile antibody may persist for months, and more rarely for years, in some individuals.  EBV specific antibodies can help classify timeline of infection (acute versus past infection).

References:

1. Remel Seradyn Color Slide II package insert, August 2005. Remel, Inc. Lenexa, KS 66215
2. Linderholm M, Boman J, Juto P, Linde A. (1994) Comparative evaluation of nine kits for rapid diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus-specific serology. J Clin Microbiol. 32:259-61.

Please honor our copyrights and disclaimer.
Updated: May 7, 2008
Copyright ©1999-2008 University of Washington. All rights reserved.
Update info to: "labmedhelp@u.washington.edu"