posted
1. Could Lyme cause a Mono test to be false positive? 2. If Mono test is positive, does that absolutely mean mono? 3. If a person had Mono 2 yrs ago, could that make a Mono test positive today?
Neighbor's 24 yr old son was tested for Lyme and Mono. LD was negative (no surprise there) Mono was positive.
Symptoms so general, could be any number of things. I was surprised that the Dr even suspected Lyme.
His father said son had Mono 2 yrs ago and wonders if that would give a false positive result now. Parents are familiar with my bout with Lyme so they are very concerned that their son may not have an accurate diagnosis.
Any comments, ideas or suggestions?
[ 23. December 2007, 11:40 PM: Message edited by: cbb ]
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Bringing this to the top in hopes that someone will have info about reliability of Mono testing.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Good question. I don't know the answer, but I have been thinking lately about this as my current herx presentation is reminding me of when I had mono as a teenager. I wondered if perhaps that was really a Lyme infection. Or, maybe my Lyme treatment has reactivated Epstein Barr/mono.
Curious to learn more!
Posts: 227 | From South of the North Pole | Registered: Jan 2007
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In most cases of infectious mononucleosis, the clinical diagnosis can be made from the characteristic triad of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy lasting for 1 to 4 weeks. Serologic test results include a normal to moderately elevated white blood cell count, an increased total number of lymphocytes, greater than 10% atypical lymphocytes, and a positive reaction to a "mono spot" test. In patients with symptoms compatible with infectious mononucleosis, a positive Paul-Bunnell heterophile antibody test result is diagnostic, and no further testing is necessary. Moderate-to-high levels of heterophile antibodies are seen during the first month of illness and decrease rapidly after week 4. False-positive results may be found in a small number of patients, and false-negative results may be obtained in 10% to 15% of patients, primarily in children younger than 10 years of age. True outbreaks of infectious mononucleosis are extremely rare. A substantial number of pseudo-outbreaks have been linked to laboratory error, as reported in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 40, no. 32, on August 16, 1991.
When "mono spot" or heterophile test results are negative, additional laboratory testing may be needed to differentiate EBV infections from a mononucleosis-like illness induced by cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, or Toxoplasma gondii. Direct detection of EBV in blood or lymphoid tissues is a research tool and is not available for routine diagnosis. Instead, serologic testing is the method of choice for diagnosing primary infection."
Posts: 227 | From South of the North Pole | Registered: Jan 2007
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Previous pseudo-outbreaks of infectious mononucleosis have been linked to laboratory error (3,4). False-positives can occur when blood from persons who have leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and viral infections other than infectious mononucleosis is tested or when samples of hemolyzed or contaminated blood are tested. However, the sensitivity of horse-cell agglutination tests such as Monophile to detect infectious mononucleosis is reportedly 96%, and the specificity, 93% (5). Heterophile tests do not directly measure EBV antibody and usually become positive 7-10 days after onset of symptoms and remain positive for less than or equal to 8 weeks (5). They are considered reliable routine diagnostic tests (6).
Posts: 227 | From South of the North Pole | Registered: Jan 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Did your neighbor's son get tested for Lyme through Igenex?
I think Lyme depresses your immune system and allows latent virus' to come out.
I also have a high EBV titer along with HHV6 and others.
I probably had mono about 20 years ago.
I wouldn't accept that as an answer without an Igenex test and a visit to a LLMD.
However, I am a bit aggressive about TBD's.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Dancer, thanks so much for the wonderful info. My research skills are not what I want them to be, so I appreciate your sharing these articles.
This young man's situation raised questions that had never occurred to me before.
Geneal, I don't know which lab did the Lyme test, but I'm sure it was not IGeneX. I've given the parents lots of info to read and learn about TBDs, especially Lyme. They're very interested and very concerned!!
Out neighborhood is adjacent to Fort Jackson and signs there state that it is a "Lyme disease area - take precautions." Frequently, deer from the fort are seen in our yards. In my opinion, there is a good chance that he could have Lyme disease.
Thank you for your concern and help. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Lyme can cause mono- see Doc HS commentary here-
chronic disseminated Borreliosis often causes a persistent blood picture of 8-12 % circulating monocytosis (an increased amount) which looks just like mononucleosis.
(Paul Duray 20 years ago described in his writings that Lyme Disease masquerades as mono. Monocytes have the duty of eating large microbes such as Borrelia and arise from stimulating stem cells in the marrow. Unfortunately for us, Borrelia can coil and live in the monocytes without being destroyed. Kind of like the enemy's aircraft sharing tie down spots on our own aircraft carriers.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I tested positive for mono when I was tested for Lyme. The doctor told me I could have had mono in the past and not known it.
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I contracted mono 4 years ago which was before I got LD. I took another mono test a few months ago and it came out extremely high. Normal is under 99 and my results were above 2000. I'm not sure if lyme made my mono worse and thats why it may still be active in my blood.
I am not sure if it will cause a +/- result though.
Posts: 370 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
It is very possible that your neighbor's son has an infection with the EBV (which causes mono).
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I had an positive EBV, doc called adult mono in the early stages of lyme & company. I called it the flu-like illness from hell. Still do 7+ yrs later.
The same lab said I was negative for lyme 2 times within 6 mths. I recently came across site from New Jersey Lyme called ABC's of Lyme Disease for young/children. Even though he is 24, I think this would be a great brochure for his parents to read.
It breaks it down in many areas. Like gastro, nervous system, neuropsychiatric. Great info.
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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