False-Positive Serology in Mononucleosis

Abstract

MISCONCEPTIONS of infectious mononucleosis have arisen uncritical repetitions of statements by earlier writers. The dictum of the frequent occurrence in mononucleosis of biological false-positive serologic reactions for syphilis (hereafter referred to as BFP) has been long accepted and unquestioned. For example, Harvey, in a recently published article,1stated that infectious mononucleosis was among the diseases which provoke a high of BFP. The wide range of reported incidence is remarkable—one report stated that BFP's have been reported as occurring in from 2 to more than 60 per cent of cases.2Recent articles have reported an incidence of 20%.3,4 After observing many patients with mononucleosis without finding an instance of BFP, I undertook to ascertain its frequency in a series of 300 consecutive personally examined patients. Except for exclusion of outpatients, cases were unselected. This paper is a report of my results and conclusions. Method The incidence