Heterophile antibody test

Heterophile antibody test
A commercial immunochromatographic test kit for the heterophile antibody test. Solid lines are visible at the "C" (control) and "T" (test) positions, indicating a positive result.
SynonymsMonospot test
Purposerapid test for infectious mononucleosis

The mononuclear spot test or monospot test, a form of the heterophile antibody test, is a rapid test for infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). It is an improvement on the Paul–Bunnell test. The test is specific for heterophile antibodies produced by the human immune system in response to EBV infection. Commercially available test kits are 70–92% sensitive and 96–100% specific, with a lower sensitivity in the first two weeks after clinical symptoms begin.

The United States Center for Disease Control deems the monospot test not to be very useful.

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