title: Comparison of tests for heterophile antibodies with a test for specific IgM-antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. Brief report.
abstract: Seventy serum samples from 54 patients with clinically suspected infectious mononucleosis were examined, using the Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn test, a rapid slide test and an ELISA for the detection of IgM antibodies against the viral capsid antigen (VCA) of Epstein-Barr virus. The ELISA technique was the most sensitive, detecting IgM in 29 sera, whereas only 19 sera were positive in the Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn test (titre greater than or equal to 64). However, using a titre of greater than or equal to 32 as a diagnostic level, the number of positive sera was 23, the same as for the rapid slide test. There was a high agreement (91%) between the heterophile antibodies tests and the VCA-IgM ELISA. The Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn test still holds a place in the serologic diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, but sera should always be tested for VCA-IgM in cases of heterophile antibodies negative mononucleosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Gade Institute, Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Myrmel
mesh_terms: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D007075:Immunoglobulin M