What is heterophile agglutination test?
What is heterophile agglutination test?
In the heterophile test, human blood is first absorbed by a guinea pig kidney. Then, it is tested for agglutination activity that is directed against horse, sheep, or cow erythrocytes. Successive dilutions yield a titer; a titer of 40 or greater is considered a positive test.
What causes positive Heterophile antibodies?
Heterophilic antibodies may arise in a patient in response to exposure to certain animals or animal products or due to infection by bacterial or viral agents, or non-specifically.
What does a positive mono screen mean?
A positive test result means that the antibodies charged with attacking the Epstein-Barr virus were detected in your blood and that you most likely carry the virus. If your doctor determines you that have mononucleosis, they’ll likely tell you to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take a pain reliever to lower a fever.
What are the characteristics of heterophile antibodies?
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?
Definition of heterophile : of, relating to, or being an antibody circulating in blood serum that is reactive with antigen originating in a different species.
How are heterophile antibodies diagnosed?
In clinical diagnosis, the heterophile antibody test specifically refers to a rapid test for antibodies produced against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. Heterophile antibodies can cause significant interference in any immunoassay.
What do you do if you test positive for mono?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Fluids help relieve a fever and sore throat and prevent dehydration.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) as needed.
- Gargle with salt water.
How do you read mono test results?
The results of a mono test are either positive or negative. A positive test indicates the presence of heterophile antibodies. This result, alongside a patient’s symptoms, are used to make a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. A negative test may indicate that a patient does not have infectious mononucleosis.
Will you always test positive for mono if you’ve had it once?
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.
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