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Heterophile Agglutination
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Test code | MONO |
| Performed by | Immunology |
| In House Availability | Tuesday, Friday (day shift) |
| Method | Latex particle agglutination |
| Container type | Gold top |
| Amount to Collect | 1 mL blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Preferred volume | 0.5 mL serum |
| Processing notes | Freeze serum at -20C |
| Normal range | Negative |
| Synonyms | monospot |
| Turn around times | 1-3 days |
| Additional information | Heterophile antibodies are present in greater than 90% of cases of infectious mononucleosis at some point during acute illness. These antibodies are named for their ability to react with the so-called Paul-Bunnell antigen found on bovine red blood cells. This test uses highly purified antigen to provide high sensitivity and specificity for detection of heterophile antibodies due to acute EBV infection, thus differential absorption with guinea pig kidney (GPK) is not required. In cases of heterophile-negative infection with high clinical suspicion, EBV-specific antibodies (see entry for EB Virus Antibodies) may be performed as a follow-up test. |
| LOINC code | 5213-4 |
| Last Updated | 10/2/2010 11:52:04 AM |
| Entry Number | 498 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667