False positivity of monospot test in an immunocompetent elderly woman with acute cytomegalovirus infection

Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Oct;33(10):1544.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.07.028. Epub 2015 Jul 21.

Abstract

A 75-year-old woman presented with altered mental status, septic picture, and influenza-like symptoms. Initial investigations revealed atypical lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and a positive monospot test result. Further investigation showed the Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antibody IgM/IgG and Epstein-Barr virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction to be negative; however, interestingly her cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM and IgG were positive, suggesting that her mononucleosis-like syndrome was due to acute CMV infection. Herein, we report the first case of a heterophile-positive mononucleosis syndrome caused by acute CMV infection in an elderly immunocompetent woman. This case conveys that monospot test can yield false-positive result in the setting of acute CMV infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / diagnosis
  • Serologic Tests / methods*