Heterophile Antibodies Amongst Normal University of Benin Undergraduate Students

authors:

avatar E Agwu 1 , * , avatar AA Ohihion 1 , avatar AO Ogbimi 2 , avatar JY Ongey 1 , avatar MI Agba 1 , avatar O Igbinovia 1

Departments of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Pathological Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
Departments of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Shiraz E-Medical Journal: Vol.6, issue 3 and 4; 32895
published online: October 4, 2005
article type: Research Article
received: March 31, 2005
accepted: June 25, 2005

how to cite: Agwu E, Ohihion A, Ogbimi A, Ongey J, Agba M, et al. Heterophile Antibodies Amongst Normal University of Benin Undergraduate Students. Shiraz E-Med J. 2006;6(3 and 4):32895. 

Abstract

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 1 in 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.

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