Population study of heterophile antibodies.
Sera from 2,829 participants in a population health survey were tested for the presence of a heterophilic antibody, detectable by immunofluorescence. The antibody was found in 9.8% of the sera from women and in 12.4% of the sera from men. The age-specific prevalence of the antibody was relatively constant in women but rose steeply in men. The antibody occurred more frequently in individuals with a history of blood transfusion and in multiparous females. It is suggested that the antibody may result from immunization by a ubiquitous agent which can be transmitted by blood transfusion.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000032:analysis*; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D001789:Blood Group Antigens