Heterophilic antibodies, lack of communication and the diagnostic dilemma

Background: Heterophilic antibodies represent a great danger to clinical ca re by producing false-positive values for certain markets. Too large confid ence in specificity of laboratory markets together with lack of communicati on between clinicians and clinical chemists may lead to unnecessary interve ntional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The prevalence of heterophil ic antibodies is probably much higher than assumed up till now and several markers can be affected. Aim: In this review for clinicians, we explain formation of heterophilic an tibodies, mechanisms of interference and present clinical data about affect ed markers and "side effects" from the literature. Furthermore we discuss p ossible alternatives and measures against this phenomenon. We consider broa d awareness of this problem among clinicians the most important action to a void further harm to patients.