Abstract |
Patients with infectious mononucleosis often are seen in Emergency Services because the infection may produce tonsillitis resistant to antibiotic therapy. However, the diagnosis of choice is specific serology, which usually takes days or weeks before results become available. Detection of lymphocytosis in peripheral blood, heterophilic antibodies, and the characteristic mononuclear cells by means of specialized blood counters, together with the clinical signs, have improved the quality of diagnosis in emergency services (93% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity). We found that simple identification by optical microscopy of the lymphomonocytes typical of infectious mononucleosis in a drop of peripheral blood, together with the clinical findings, have a better diagnostic sensitivity (96. 5%) and specificity (99.1%) than any other method available in emergency services.
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Authors | F J García Callejo, M M Velert Vila, M P Martínez Beneyto, A A Morant Ventura, M H Orts Alborch |
Journal | Acta otorrinolaringologica espanola
(Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp)
1999 Aug-Sep
Vol. 50
Issue 6
Pg. 467-72
ISSN: 0001-6519 [Print] Spain |
Vernacular Title | Aproximación diagnóstica no serológica a la mononucleosis infecciosa desde el Servicio de Urgencias. |
PMID | 10502700
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Viral
- Immunoglobulins
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Viral
(blood)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Emergencies
- Female
- Herpesvirus 4, Human
(immunology)
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins
(blood)
- Infant
- Infectious Mononucleosis
(blood, diagnosis)
- Male
- Medical History Taking
- Middle Aged
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Time Factors
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