Some serological aspects of infectious mononucleosis with special reference to the use of agglutinin-absorption tests in the diagnosis: written for the Lewis Cameron Undergraduate Prize in Bacteriology, 1945

Abstract

1. The correlation is high between the clinical and the serological diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis when the absorption test is used (66 %).2. The direct Paul-Bunnell test is of limited value especially in late and relapsed cases.3. In high -titre cases, e.g. 1/256, the direct test will suffice, but a considerable number of cases may never reach such high titre.4. Definite sero-negative cases occur; they form a low percentage of this series. (26 %)5. Variations in titre during the illness have been recorded.6. An application of Barrett's absorption technique to a series of.cases which had received serum therapy did not give satisfactory results, for complete absorption of the antibody, by either of the antigens employed was not demonstrated.7. There appears to be a non -specific stimulation of the normal heterophile antibody in acute febrile illnesses.8. It is suggested that an abridged absorption test should be employed in the routine serological diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis