Which test is commonly used to diagnose infectious mononucleosis?

Which test is commonly used to diagnose infectious mononucleosis?

• A. Widal test
• B. Monospot test
• C. HIV ELISA
• D. ESR

Answer: (B)

Detecting heterophile antibodies produced during Epstein-Barr virus infection is the key concept here. The Monospot test is a rapid agglutination assay that detects these heterophile antibodies in a patient’s serum, making it a common initial diagnostic tool for suspected infectious mononucleosis. It works well in adolescents and adults and helps distinguish mono from other illnesses with similar symptoms. A negative result doesn’t completely rule out mono early in the illness, in which case EBV-specific serologies may be considered. The other options aren’t used for mono diagnosis: the Widal test screens for typhoid fever, HIV ELISA screens for HIV, and ESR is a nonspecific inflammatory marker not diagnostic for mono.

Detecting heterophile antibodies produced during Epstein-Barr virus infection is the key concept here. The Monospot test is a rapid agglutination assay that detects these heterophile antibodies in a patient’s serum, making it a common initial diagnostic tool for suspected infectious mononucleosis. It works well in adolescents and adults and helps distinguish mono from other illnesses with similar symptoms. A negative result doesn’t completely rule out mono early in the illness, in which case EBV-specific serologies may be considered. The other options aren’t used for mono diagnosis: the Widal test screens for typhoid fever, HIV ELISA screens for HIV, and ESR is a nonspecific inflammatory marker not diagnostic for mono.