| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of laboratory made reagent of polystyrene latex coated with three preparations of mononucleosis antigen (reagent MZ-I, MZ-II, and MZ-III) for detection of heterophile antibodies in patients sera with clinical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. These studies were carried out on 153 serum samples taken from persons suspected of being infected with EB virus and on 100 healthy controls--blood donors. The results of latex tests were compared to the results of Paul-Bunnell-Davidsohn (PBD) and hemolytic tests. Out of three latex reagents evaluated only one (reagent MZ-I) showed sensitivity equal to PBD and haemolytic tests. The sensitivity reached 91.1%. Agglutination reaction when appeared in latex test at serum dilution 1:5, is considered positive and diagnostically significant result. |
