title: Comparative evaluation of seven commercial tests for detection of heterophile antibody in infectious mononucleosis.
abstract: Detection of heterophile antibodies in infectious mononucleosis is the most rapid and cost-effective method for confirming the clinical diagnosis of the disease. This study compared seven commercial test kits (the Oxoid Infectious Mononucleosis Kit [Oxoid Ltd], Immunoscan Im-Latex [Baxter Travenol], Mono-Latex [Wampole Laboratories], Monospot and Im Screen Test [Ortho Diagnostics], Immunoscan Im-RBC Test [Baxter Travenol], and Infectious Mononucleosis Test [NCS Diagnostics]) to the Davidsohn differential test. All of the kits were shown to be acceptable for use, with specificities and sensitivities greater than 96.5% and 95.5%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto; and Department of Virology, Ministry of Health Laboratory Services Branch, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skulnick
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Simor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chua