The Heterophile Antibody

• Antibodies found in one specie of animal (such as humans) which react against a component of another specie.

• Heterophile antibody is generated in humans infected systemically with the EB virus.

• A few drops of the patient's plasma are mixed with RBCs from a goat or horse or sheep, and we wait to see if there is clumping or 'aglutination'.