Which type of red blood cells are utilized in the Paul-Bunnell heterophil antibody test?

The Paul-Bunnell heterophil antibody test is designed to detect heterophile antibodies, which are predominantly found in cases of infectious mononucleosis, commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In this test, sheep red blood cells are utilized because they react specifically with the heterophile antibodies present in the serum of affected individuals.

Sheep red blood cells are particularly effective in this context due to their propensity to agglutinate in the presence of these antibodies, which indicates a positive result for the test. This characteristic makes them a valuable tool in clinical settings for diagnosing conditions related to infectious mononucleosis.

In contrast, other types of red blood cells, such as rabbit, human, or horse RBCs, do not produce the same reliable and specific reactions associated with the detection of heterophile antibodies in this particular test. Thus, the use of sheep red blood cells is integral to the test's function and reliability in diagnosing the condition accurately.