Investigation of primary human immunodeficiency virus infection in patients who test positive for heterophile antibody

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Aug 15;33(4):570-2. doi: 10.1086/321903. Epub 2001 Jul 20.

Abstract

In light of a recent report of 3 false-positive results of Epstein-Barr virus heterophile tests caused by HIV infection, we sought to assess the frequency of this occurrence. One hundred thirty-two positive heterophile antibody-tested serum samples were obtained from 2 tertiary care facilities in Boston to assess for HIV, and all tested negative for HIV plasma RNA. This study shows that false-positive results of heterophile tests are not frequently associated with primary HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Heterophile / blood*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / diagnosis*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / virology
  • RNA, Viral / blood

Substances

  • Antibodies, Heterophile
  • RNA, Viral