Heterophile antibody

Heterophile Antibody

A heterophile antibody is a type of antibody that reacts with antigens from a species different from the one that produced the antibody. These antibodies are often produced in response to infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes infectious mononucleosis.

Overview

Heterophile antibodies are a group of antibodies that are not produced in response to a specific antigen, but rather are produced in response to a variety of different antigens. These antibodies are often produced in response to infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes infectious mononucleosis.

Clinical Significance

Heterophile antibodies are often used in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. The Monospot test, a form of heterophile antibody test, is used to detect the presence of these antibodies in the blood. A positive result indicates an active EBV infection.

Heterophile Antibody Test

The heterophile antibody test is a blood test that looks for antibodies that may be produced by the immune system in response to certain infections. It is most commonly used to diagnose infectious mononucleosis caused by EBV.

See Also

• Antibody
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Monospot test

References

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External Links

• Mayo Clinic - Mononucleosis Test
• CDC - About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

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