Heterophile antibodies are routinely detected by their reaction with which of the following?

Heterophile antibodies are routinely detected by their reaction with which of the following?

• A. Epstein-Barr virus antigens
• B. B lymphocytes
• C. sheep erythrocyte antigens
• D. bovine erythrocyte antigens

Answer: (D)

Heterophile antibodies produced during EBV infection are identified by their ability to react with animal red blood cells, not by targeting EBV itself. In routine testing, this is seen as agglutination of animal erythrocytes, most commonly sheep red blood cells (the classic Paul-Bunnell test), though horse red blood cells are used in some rapid kits as well. These antibodies aren’t specific to EBV antigens and aren’t detected by interactions with B lymphocytes. Bovine erythrocytes aren’t the standard reagent for this routine heterophile antibody test. So, the test relies on their reaction with sheep erythrocyte antigens.

Heterophile antibodies produced during EBV infection are identified by their ability to react with animal red blood cells, not by targeting EBV itself. In routine testing, this is seen as agglutination of animal erythrocytes, most commonly sheep red blood cells (the classic Paul-Bunnell test), though horse red blood cells are used in some rapid kits as well. These antibodies aren’t specific to EBV antigens and aren’t detected by interactions with B lymphocytes. Bovine erythrocytes aren’t the standard reagent for this routine heterophile antibody test. So, the test relies on their reaction with sheep erythrocyte antigens.