In the heterophil antibody test, how is the result reported?

In the heterophil antibody test, the result is reported as the highest dilution that shows agglutination. This approach allows for quantifying the strength of the antibody response in the patient sample. Agglutination refers to the clumping of particles, which in this test indicates the presence of heterophil antibodies commonly associated with certain infections, such as infectious mononucleosis.

The method typically involves serial dilutions of the patient serum mixed with a reagent. As dilutions increase, a point is reached where agglutination is no longer observable due to the decreased concentration of antibodies. The highest dilution at which agglutination still occurs is then noted as the result, providing a more informative assessment than merely reporting a positive or negative result, or presenting it as a simple percentage or a specific numerical value. This method helps in understanding the severity of the underlying condition based on the antibody levels detected in the sample.