adjective
- Of or relating to an antibody or antigen that reacts with antigens from a different species.
Usage: immunology; technical
noun
- An antibody or antigen that reacts with antigens from a different species.
Usage: immunology; technical
Examples
- The heterophil antibody test detects antibodies that cross-react with antigens from different species.
- Heterophil reactions are useful in diagnostic testing for certain infections.
- The Paul-Bunnell test identifies heterophil antibodies produced during infectious mononucleosis.
- Researchers studied heterophil antigens to understand immune responses across species.
- Heterophil antibodies can sometimes cause false positives in serological tests.