ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-2650
Department
Biological Sciences
Year of Study
6
Full-time or Part-time Study
Part-time Study
Level
Postgraduate
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Supervisor
Dr Brigid Lucey
Abstract
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Abstract
Aim
To calculate the performance characteristics of the Clearview® IM II Monospot [heterophile antibody (HA) test] to determine Infectious Mononucleosis associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV-IM) in clinically suspect patients.
Methods
The laboratory results of 420 patients tested for HAs over a two-year period (2018-2019) in a single testing centre in Ireland were analysed. A novel multivariant test (reference) model was designed to determine true positive and negative EBV-IM cases. A cohort of 50 Monospot results were compared against this reference model and the test’s performance characteristics determined.
Results
The Monospot test proved reasonably specific but insensitive in the detection of EBV-IM; 22 (85%) of the 26 patients without EBV-IM tested negative, 13 (54%) of the 24 patients with EBV-IM tested positive.
Discussion/Conclusion
The Monospot is a quick, easy to use, inexpensive test for detection of EBV-IM, with reasonably high specificity and low sensitivity. Only clinically suspect cases with demonstrable indicative markers warrant HA testing; negative results should be followed up with specific EBV serology to ensure diagnosis of heterophile negative cases.
Keywords:
Epstein-Barr virus, infectious mononucleosis, heterophile antibodies, atypical lymphocytes, Monospot test
Start Date
16-6-2025 9:30 AM
End Date
16-6-2025 9:45 AM
Recommended Citation
Naughton, Patrick, "An evaluation of the Monospot test to diagnose Epstein-Barr virus associated Infectious Mononucleosis (EBV-IM)" (2025). ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting). 1.
https://sword.cit.ie/orbiom/2025/oral1/1
An evaluation of the Monospot test to diagnose Epstein-Barr virus associated Infectious Mononucleosis (EBV-IM)
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Abstract
Aim
To calculate the performance characteristics of the Clearview® IM II Monospot [heterophile antibody (HA) test] to determine Infectious Mononucleosis associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV-IM) in clinically suspect patients.
Methods
The laboratory results of 420 patients tested for HAs over a two-year period (2018-2019) in a single testing centre in Ireland were analysed. A novel multivariant test (reference) model was designed to determine true positive and negative EBV-IM cases. A cohort of 50 Monospot results were compared against this reference model and the test’s performance characteristics determined.
Results
The Monospot test proved reasonably specific but insensitive in the detection of EBV-IM; 22 (85%) of the 26 patients without EBV-IM tested negative, 13 (54%) of the 24 patients with EBV-IM tested positive.
Discussion/Conclusion
The Monospot is a quick, easy to use, inexpensive test for detection of EBV-IM, with reasonably high specificity and low sensitivity. Only clinically suspect cases with demonstrable indicative markers warrant HA testing; negative results should be followed up with specific EBV serology to ensure diagnosis of heterophile negative cases.
