Tuotromedico: Test Paul Bunnell

Frequent questions

He asks the doctor

Beginning

TO CONSULT

Mononucleosis test,

Antibodies agglutination heter�filos for VEB (virus of Epstein-Barr),

Mononucleosis test.

Test of VEB (virus of Epstein-Barr).

DEFINITION

In the infection for the Epstein-Barr virus there develop antibodies of the class specific IgM that have the property of agglutinating red blood corpuscles of ram or of horse. If a person is infected by the Epstein-Barr virus and called glandular fever endures the illness, the whey of the patient is mixed by red blood corpuscles of ram or of horse in a badge and an agglutination takes place depending on serial dilutions of the whey.

WHY IS IT REALIZED?

It is used to evaluate the presence of the Glandular fever or illness produced by the virus of Epstein-Barr.

When a patient has a high title the diagnosis is accurate except in false positives that can stem from the presence of a linfoma, a Systemic Lupus Eritematoso, a leukemia, and some form of chronic hepatitis.

In 20 to 30 % of the cases the analysis is negative and the infection exists. In the first two weeks it is sensitive in 60 % of the cases and it raises to 90 % at the age of 4 weeks of the beginning of the symptoms.

If one suspects in illness for the Epstein-Barr virus and an active glandular fever with negative result can request itself a serolog�a of antibodies of the virus of Epstein-Barr, to confirm the diagnosis.

SKILL OF ACHIEVEMENT

To realize this analysis to be on an empty stomach is not needed.
It is possible to realize the capture in an appropriate place (consultation, clinic, hospital) but sometimes it is realized in the proper domicile of the patient.

To realize the capture it is needed of locating an appropriate vein and in general there are used the veins placed in the flexura of the elbow. The person entrusted to take the sample will use sanitary gloves, a needle (with a syringe or pipe of extraction).
It will put a tortor (tape of gum - latex) in the arm so that the veins retain more blood and turn out to be more visible and accessible.

It will clean the area of the prick with an antiseptic one and by means of a palpaci�n it will locate the appropriate vein and will gain access to her with the needle. They will release the tortor.
When the blood flows for the needle the sanitary one will realize an aspiration (by means of the syringe or by means of the application of a pipe with gap).
On having finished the capture, it extracts the needle to itself and the area is pressed with a cotton or similar torunda to favor the coagulation and it will indicate him to itself that flexione the arm and the area pressed with a Band-Aid supports for some hours.

The abstracted blood moves to the analysis laboratory in a special pipe for biochemistry, which contains an anticoagulant product. In general more than 10 milliliters of blood are not usually necessary for a standard battery of biochemical parameters.

PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE RISKS

The securing by means of a prick of the vein can produce certain pain.

The possible difficulty in finding the appropriate vein can give place to several pricks

Appearance of a haematoma (bruise or cardinal) in the extraction area, is due usually to the fact that the vein has not closed well after the later pressure and blood has kept on going out producing this problem. Type Hirudoid can apply an ointment to itself � or Trombocid � in the area.

Inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), sometimes the vein turns out to be shaken, well be for a cause merely physically or why it has become infected. It will have to support the relaxed area a few days and type Hirudoid can apply an ointment to itself � or Trombocid � in the area. If the problem persists or appears fever will have to consult it with his doctor.

NORMAL VALUES OF THE TEST PAUL-BUNNELL

Normal aglutininas levels in adults: minor qualifications of 1:56 what supposes a negative test.
It is considered to be a positive if the title is top to 1:56, and in this case there can be an active illness. The title can rise up to values of 1:220 in the third and fourth week of infection, to be going down in the following 4 weeks.

EVALUATION OF ABNORMAL RESULTS

The developing levels of agglutinative antibodies can indicate:

Infection activates for the virus of Epstein-Barr and the presence of Mononuleosis Infecciosa.

Chronic infection for the Epstein-Barr virus.

Syndrome of chronic asthenia.

Linfoma of Burkitt.