Definition - What does Mono Test mean?
A mono test is a diagnostic test used to assess whether an individual is infected with mononucleosis (mono). A mono test requires that a blood sample be taken and analyzed for the presence of certain antibodies. A mono test may also be referred to as a mononucleosis test, mononucleosis spot test, mononuclear heterophile test, heterophile antibody test, monospot test, heterophile antibody titer, or Paul-Bunnell test.
SureHire explains Mono Test
A mono test is used to detect the presence of heterophile antibodies in the blood. The presence of these heterophile antibodies is an indicator that the subject has infectious mononucleosis (mono). Characterized by the presence of atypical white blood cells, mono is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The Monospot, or heterophile, test is one test used to detect a mononucleosis infection. Mono has an incubation period of four to six weeks. The heterophile antibody test will detect the presence of heterophile antibodies in the blood within two to nine weeks after infection. If it is suspected that a patient is infected by mono but the monospot test results were negative, an EBV test may be conducted for more certainty of the result.
