Mononucleosis tests are blood tests to look for antibodies that indicate mononucleosis (mono), which is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The antibodies are made by the immune system to fight an infection. Mono tests include: Monospot test (heterophil test).

How does the Monospot test work and what does it mean?

The Monospot test detects heterophile antibodies produced by the immune system in response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. These antibodies can cross-react with other types of cells, including horse red blood cells (the ones used in the monospot).

Will a Monospot test always be positive?

A small number of people with mononucleosis may never have a positive test. The highest number of antibodies occurs 2 to 5 weeks after mono begins. They may be present for up to 1 year. In rare cases, the test is positive even though you do not have mono.

How accurate is a Monospot test?

Though the monospot test is considered to be a very specific test, the sensitivity falls in the range of 70 to 90% and is particularly weak among children under the age of four years old.

What does mono mean in a blood test when it is high?

When your monocyte level is high — known as monocytosis — it means your body is fighting something. Some conditions that can cause an increase in the monocytes in your blood are: viral infections, such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, and measles. parasitic infections. chronic inflammatory disease.

How are Heterophile antibodies produced?

Heterophile antibodies are produced in response to antigens produced during EBV IM (EBV heterophile antigens or Paul–Bunnell antigens) or as a result of serum sickness (type III hypersensitivity reaction caused by proteins present in certain medications) or rheumatoid factors (non-EBV heterophile antigens or Forssman …

What is the role of Heterophile antibodies?

Heterophile antibodies are endogenous antibodies in human serum/plasma that may interfere with immunoassays resulting in false elevation, or rarely false depression of measured values.

What does a high EBV nuclear antigen AB IgG mean?

What does it mean if your EBV Nuclear Antigen Ab, IgG result is too high? The presence of antibodies to EBNA means that the infection occurred in the past. Antibodies to EBNA develop six to eight weeks after the time of infection and are present for life.

What does a positive EBV VCA IgG mean?

The presence of VCA IgG antibodies indicates that an EBV infection has occurred at some time recently or in the past. The presence of VCA IgM antibodies and the absence of antibodies to EBNA mean that the infection has occurred recently. The presence of antibodies to EBNA means that the infection occurred in the past.

What does a high EBV early antigen AB IgG mean?

Presence of detectable EA IgG antibodies. A positive result indicates exposure to Epstein-Barr virus and is usually associated with active ore recent primary (actute) EBV infection or reactivation, but may also be observed in people with no detectable evidence of recent infection.

Article first time published on

How much does a Monospot test cost?

On MDsave, the cost of a Mono Test ranges from $6 to $41. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.

Can U Get mono twice?

Most people who have mono (infectious mononucleosis) will have it only once. But rarely, mononucleosis symptoms may recur months or even years later. Most cases of mononucleosis are caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

What particles can Heterophile antibody Agglutinate?

Heterophile antibodies are IgM antibodies, which agglutinate erythrocytes from different species including bovine, camel, horse, goat, and sheep.

What is lymphocytes in hematology?

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. They play an important role in your immune system, helping your body fight off infection. Many underlying medical conditions can cause lymphocytosis. High lymphocyte blood levels indicate your body is dealing with an infection or other inflammatory condition.

What disease causes high monocytes?

• Endocarditis, a heart valve infection.
• Tuberculosis, a lung infection.
• Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.
• Collagen vascular disorders, an inflammation of the collagen and joints.
• Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease.
• Protozoan or rickettsial infections.
• Bone marrow recovery.

What are the symptoms of high monocytes?

The main causes of high monocytes (monocytosis) are chronic inflammation and infections. Symptoms depend on the cause and may include fever, pain, and swelling.

What is Heterophile IgM?

Heterophile antibodies are IgM antibodies with affinity for sheep and horse red blood cells. They appear during the first week of infectious mononucleosis symptoms, 3–4 weeks after infection and return to undetectable levels 3 to 6 months after infection.

Is Epstein Barr an STD?

Technically, yes, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But that’s not to say that all cases of mono are STIs. Mono, or infectious mononucleosis as you might hear your doctor call it, is a contagious disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family.

What is Heterophile specificity?

Heterophile antibodies are low-affinity IgM antibodies with broad specificity for predominantly carbohydrate antigens that can react with molecules found on the surface of a number of nonhuman erythrocytes (hence heterophile = other loving).

What is heterophile agglutination test?

The test is usually performed using commercially available test kits which detect the reaction of heterophile antibodies in a person’s blood sample with horse or cow red blood cell antigens. These test kits work on the principles of latex agglutination or immunochromatography.

What causes false positive Monospot test?

In rare cases, the test is positive even though you do not have mono. This is called a false-positive result, and it may occur in people with: Hepatitis. Leukemia or lymphoma.

What diseases does Epstein Barr cause?

• Ear infections and diarrhea in children.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• Certain cancers, including Burkitt’s lymphoma and cancers of the nose and throat.

What are the symptoms of Epstein Barr?

• fatigue.
• fever.
• inflamed throat.
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• enlarged spleen.
• swollen liver.
• rash.

Is Epstein-Barr an autoimmune disease?

Epstein-Barr infects B cells—a type of white blood cell in the immune system. This may explain the association between Epstein-Barr and the EBNA2 disorders: All seven are autoimmune diseases, conditions involving an abnormal immune response to a normal body part.

Is Epstein-Barr related to chronic fatigue syndrome?

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. It has long been tentatively connected to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), with some researchers saying it’s an important causal factor while others say it’s not involved with this disease at all.

What virus is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

In recent years, scientists have studied how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause cells in the nasopharynx to become cancer, but there’s still a lot to learn. In developed countries, most people infected with EBV have infectious mononucleosis (mono), and their immune system is able to recognize and destroy the virus.

Can you go to school with mono?

Students with mono might need to: be absent from school for several weeks. have homework and assignments sent home and tests rescheduled. avoid gym class and sports until they get clearance from a doctor (the virus can cause the spleen to enlarge, creating a risk of rupture )

When is mono most contagious?

People are definitely contagious while they have symptoms, which can last 2–4 weeks or even longer. Health experts aren’t sure how long people with mono stay contagious after symptoms are gone, but it seems they can spread the infection for months after that.

Can kids get mono?

Infants and young kids infected with EBV usually have very mild symptoms or none at all. But infected teens and young adults often develop the symptoms that define mono. Other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, can sometimes cause a mono-like illness too.

Can dogs get mono?

You see, mononucleosis in humans actually comes from the Epstein-Barr virus (a type of herpesvirus). This virus can indeed spread to dogs, and most often comes from exposure to a person with mono. That being said, the virus does not affect mononuclear cells in dogs. So technically, dogs can not get mono.

What causes mono to flare up?

What causes mono flare ups? Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes mono infections and remains in your body for your whole life. EBV is actually a member of the herpes virus family — EBV is also called human herpesvirus 4.