[Heterophile antibodies, lack of communication and the diagnostic dilemma].
BACKGROUND
Heterophilic antibodies represent a great danger to clinical care by producing false-positive values for certain markers. Too large confidence in specificity of laboratory markers together with lack of communication between clinicians and clinical chemists may lead to unnecessary interventional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The prevalence of heterophilic antibodies is probably much higher than assumed up till now and several markers can be affected.


OBJECTIVE
In this review for clinicians, we explain formation of heterophilic antibodies, mechanisms of interference and present clinical data about affected markers and "side effects" from the literature. Furthermore we discuss possible alternatives and measures against this phenomenon. We consider broad awareness of this problem among clinicians the most important action to avoid further harm to patients.
Dietrich
C G
CG
Medizinische Klinik III, Universitätsklinikums, Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen. Christoph.Dietrich@post.rwth-aachen.de
Stiegler
H
H
Gressner
A M
AM
Matern
S
S
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000097:blood*; D003142:Communication; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007400:Interprofessional Relations
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile
Heterophile Antikörper, fehlende Kommunikation und das diagnostische Dilemma.