heterophil antibody
Noun: A type of antibody that reacts with antigens from a different species than the one in which it was formed. Clinically, it most commonly refers to an antibody found in human blood during infectious mononucleosis that reacts with sheep or horse red blood cells.
This is a specialized medical and immunological term. It is used to describe a specific, cross-reacting antibody, particularly in the context of diagnosing certain diseases. - The heterophil antibody test is a standard diagnostic tool for mononucleosis. - The presence of heterophil antibodies confirms the diagnosis.
- The doctor ordered a test to check for heterophil antibodies.
- A positive heterophil antibody result is indicative of a current or recent Epstein-Barr virus infection.
- Not all cases of infectious mononucleosis produce detectable levels of heterophil antibody.
- Heterophil antibody test: Also known as the monospot test, a rapid test used to screen for infectious mononucleosis by detecting these antibodies.
- Paul-Bunnell test: The classic laboratory test for detecting heterophil antibodies, involving the agglutination of sheep red blood cells.
- Heterophile antibody: An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
- Forssman antibody: A specific type of heterophil antibody directed against the Forssman antigen, found in some individuals.
- Infectious mononucleosis antibody (in the specific clinical context)
- Monospot antibody (in the context of the test name)
This term is distinct from Epstein-Barr virus-specific antibodies. While heterophil antibodies are useful for rapid screening, specific EBV antibody tests (like the EBV panel) can provide more detailed information about the stage of the infection.
- an antibody found in the blood of someone suffering from infectious mononucleosis