Pathologist Questions Blood Tests

What blood tests can detect mono?

My doctor thinks that I have mono and wants me to take a blood test to confirm it. What blood tests are used to confirm mono?

2 Answers


Yes, blood test can detect the appearance of the atypical, activated lymphocytes.
Epstein-Barr Virus - EBV (infectious mononucleosis) is a gamma group herpes virus that causes a benign, self-limited lymphoproliferative disease, and is characterized by fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly (large spleen), sore throat, and the appearance of atypical lymphocytes in blood. EBV enters the epithelial cell cytoplasm by directly fusing with the plasma membrane. Also, EBV enters the B-cell cytoplasm by directly fusing with the plasma membrane. There are two EBV proteins produced by the virus, the EBNA2 and LMP-1 that occurs in latently infected lymphocytes. Thank you.
EBV titers, monospot.

RB Thomas, MD