• Monospot Test Reference Range

  Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.

  Your result is Negative.

  Heterophile antibodies not detected. However, there is a possibility that false negatives occur when the test is taken during the first week of illness. There is also a chance for mononucleosis to be due to some other virus less common than Epstein-Barr virus.
• What is a Monospot test?
• Why do I need a Monospot test?
• What happens during a Monospot test?
• Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
• Are there any risks to the test?
• What do the results mean?
• When should I see a doctor?
• Is there anything else I need to know about the Monospot test?
• References

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

• How do you test for a Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection?

  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a gamma herpes virus that occurs only in humans. Laboratory testing can help distinguish whether someone is susceptible to EBV infection or has a recent or past infection.

  Healthcare providers can test for antibodies to the following EBV-associated antigens:

  Viral capsid antigen (VCA)

  • Anti-VCA IgM appears early in EBV infection and usually disappears within four to six weeks.
  • Anti-VCA IgG appears in the acute phase of EBV infection, peaks at two to four weeks after onset, declines slightly then persists for the rest of a person’s life.

  Early antigen (EA)

  • Anti-EA IgG appears in the acute phase of illness and generally falls to undetectable levels after three to six months. In many people, detection of antibody to EA is a sign of active infection. However, 20% of healthy people may have antibodies against EA for years.

  EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)

  • Antibody to EBNA, determined by the standard immunofluorescent test, is not seen in the acute phase of EBV infection but slowly appears two to four months after onset of symptoms and persists for the rest of a person’s life. Other EBNA enzyme immunoassays may report false positive results.

  Monospot test

  • The Monospot test is not recommended for general use. The antibodies detected by Monospot can be caused by conditions other than infectious mononucleosis. Moreover, studies have shown that the Monospot produces both false positive and false negative results. For example, the heterophile antibodies detected by Monospot are often not present in children with infectious mononucleosis. At best, the Monospot test may indicate that a person has a typical case of infectious mononucleosis, but does not confirm the presence of EBV infection.
• What do the results mean?
• References