Heterophile antibody test | |
---|---|
Synonyms | Monospot test |
Purpose | rapid test for infectious mononucleosis |
The mononuclear spot test or monospot test, a form of the heterophile antibody test,[1] is a rapid test for infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). It is an improvement on the Paul–Bunnell test.[2] 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.[3][4]
The United States Center for Disease Control deems the monospot test not to be very useful.[5]