Main Entry: Paul–Bun·nell test

Pronunciation: \ˈpȯl-ˈbən-əl-\

Function: noun

: a test for heterophile antibodies used in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis—called also Paul-Bunnell reaction

Paul, John Rodman (1893–1971), and Bunnell, Walls Willard (1902–1965), American physicians. Paul served for many years on the medical faculty at Yale University. He undertook major research on several microbial diseases. In a systematic study of familial rheumatic fever, he determined that a streptococcus infection precipitated the disease. He published a book-length study of the epidemiology of rheumatic fever in 1930. With Bunnell he developed in 1932 a laboratory test for infectious mononucleosis based on their discovery of heterophile antibodies in the sera of persons with the disease.