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Test Code Mono Heterophile Antibody

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen
Heterophile Antibody

Heterophile Antibody

Mono Test

 

Patient Preparation

No special preparation of the patient is required prior to specimen collection.

Collection Instructions

Do not freeze.

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Volume

Specimen container fill to capacity

Minimum Volume

30 µL of whole blood

Container

Preferred: EDTA Lavender

or 

Alternative: Li Heparin Green

Stability

The whole blood may be used for testing immediately or stored at 2-8OC for up to 24 hours.

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reference Range

Negative

Critical Ranges

None

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • The following potentially interfering substances do not interfere with infectious mononucleosis heterophile antibody determination in the ICON Mono Assay up to the levels shown below:
    • Human albumin 15 g/dl
    • Bilirubin 60 mg/dl
    • Hemoglobin 1 g/dl
    • Triglycerides 1,300 mg/dl
  • Results obtained must be used only as adjunct to other information available to the physician.
  • Although most patients will have a detectable heterophile antibody level within 3 weeks of infection, occasionally a patient with strong clinical indications of IM may take as long as 3 months to become detectable.
  • Approximately half of children under 4 years of age who have IM may test as IM heterophile negative.  EBV-specific testing may be helpful in these cases.
  • The IM heterophile has been associated with disease states other than IM, such as leukemia, CMV infection, Burkitt's lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, adenovirus, viral hepatitis, and Toxoplasma gondii.
  • Some individuals are reported to maintain a low but persistent level of heterophile antibodies long after their primary illness.

Useful For/ Methodology

The ICON Mono test qualitatively detects infectious mononucleosis antibodies in human whole blood, serum or plasma specimens. This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.