Author/Authors :
E, Agwu Ambrose Alli University - Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine - Departments of Medical Microbiology, Nigeria , AA, Ohihion Ambrose Alli University - Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine - Departments of Medical Microbiology, ايران , AO, Ogbimi University of Benin - Faculty of Sciences - Departments of Microbiology, Nigeria , JY, Ongey Ambrose Alli University - Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine - Departments of Medical Microbiology, Nigeria , MI, Agba Ambrose Alli University - Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine - Departments of Medical Microbiology, Nigeria , O, Igbinovia Ambrose Alli University - Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine - Departments of Medical Microbiology, Nigeria
Abstract :
The Paul-Bunnel presumptive test for infectious mononucleosis was used to determine the incidence of Heterophile antibodies in sera of under-graduate students of University of Benin. A high incidence (71.6%) of heterophile antibodies in sera of those subjects is reported. Significant heterophile antibody titer of 1in 80 and above was obtained in 5.9% of subjects. Female had a higher incidence of heterophile antibodies (75.9%) than males (66.7). The age groups 25-29 years had the highest incidence (78.5%) of heterophile antibodies. Serological testing of patients’ blood was necessary to distinguish the clinical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis from those of other infectious diseases such as influenza, rubella and hepatitis. Our findings are of public health importance.
