heterophile antibody

synonym: heterophilic antibody
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.13209
Antibody raised against an antigen from one species, which also reacts against antigens from other species.
Notes:
  1. Heterophile antibodies are usually of low affinity and are a common cause of problems with immunoassays.
  2. The existence of such antibodies explains observations of the presence of antibody against antigens from a variety of species without immunization.
  3. Heterophile antibodies commonly arise from viral infection.
See also: Forssman antigen
Source:
PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. (IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)) on page 1175 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'heterophile antibody' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.13209 RIS BibTex EndNote
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