Tests:Infectious Mononucleosis, Plasma: Difference between revisions

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Tests:Infectious Mononucleosis, Plasma
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Test no longer performed. Have added link to serology testing page.
 
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[[Category:Hawera]]
[[Category:Hawera]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |
!
== Overview ==
== Overview ==
|-
|-
|Department
|'''The Monospot test for Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) is longer available at Health New Zealand Taranaki Laboratories.'''
|Haematology  
This is due to the low sensitivity and poor specificity of the test, and on the advice Clinical Microbiologist, Dr Juliet Elvy.
|-
|Test Code
|IM
|-
|Synonyms
|Monospot  
 
Paul Bunnell  
 
Glandular fever  
 
IM  
|-
|Base Lab Availability
|Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
|-
|Hawera Lab Availability
|Monday - Friday 8 am - 5pm
|-
|Turnaround Time
|1-5 hrs  
|-
|Stability – Add test
|24 hrs at room temp, 3 days at 4 degrees Celsius.
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Specimen Requirements ==
|-
|Specimen
|Plasma
|-
|Specimen Transportation
|
|-
|Preferred
|6mL Plain <span style="background:#e30022"> Red-Top</span>
|-
|Acceptable
|4mL EDTA <span style="background: #ba55d3"> Purple-Top </span>, or Li-Hep <span style="background:#3cb371"> Green-Top </span>
|-
|Unacceptable
|
|-
|Paediatric Requirements  
|0.5 mL Plain <span style="background:#e30022"> Red-Top</span>, 500 μL <span style="background: #dcd0ff"> EDTA Microtainer </span>, or 600 μL <span style="background:#99e6b3"> Li-Hep Microtainer </span>   
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Aliquot Requirements ==
|-
|Sample
|
|-
|Preferred Volume
|
|-
|Minimum Volume
|
|-
|Aliquot Transportation
|
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Clinical Information ==
|-
|Reference Intervals
|Positive test suggests the diagnosis of glandular fever in the context of appropriate symptoms and blood film changes such as reactive lymphocytosis.    
|-
|Test Method
|Clearview IM rapid immunoassay kit for detection of EBV IgM Heterophile Antibody.  
|-
|Advanced Notice
|
|-
|Patient Preparation
|
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Comments ==
|-
| colspan="2" |This test screens for the presence of heterophile antibodies.  EBV serology is the preferred test in cases of suspected infectious mononucleosis due to the inferior sensitivity of the monospot test.  
 
The monospot test will not be performed on children <6yrs due to the poor sensitivity in this age group.  
 
Any sample with a negative monospot test result will be referred for EBV serology.  
 
 
 
''Limitations of the monospot test:''  
 
During the first week of disease 30-40% of patients will produce a false negative result. Suggest repeat EBV serology if symptoms persist.  


50% of children <6 years of age and 10-20% of adults will not produce heterophile IM antibodies.    
If a clinical diagnosis of IM cannot be made, serological testing for the detection of EBV antibodies (VCA IgG, VCA IgM, and EBNA) is recommended.


False positive results may be seen in cases of CMV, malaria, toxoplasmosis and some autoimmune diseases.  
Please refer to [[Tests:EBV, Serology|EBV, Serology - Taranaki Lab Manual]].
|}
|}
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Latest revision as of 10:51, 6 August 2026

Overview

The Monospot test for Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) is longer available at Health New Zealand Taranaki Laboratories.

This is due to the low sensitivity and poor specificity of the test, and on the advice Clinical Microbiologist, Dr Juliet Elvy.

If a clinical diagnosis of IM cannot be made, serological testing for the detection of EBV antibodies (VCA IgG, VCA IgM, and EBNA) is recommended.

Please refer to EBV, Serology - Taranaki Lab Manual.

Owner Craig Mabbett (Mabbett1)
Last reviewed 06.08.2026
Next review 06.08.2027 (OK)
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