From:  Heterophile antibody interference in cardiac biomarker testing: mechanisms, pitfalls, and clinical consequences

 Stepwise practical strategies to suspect and confirm heterophile antibody interference.

StrategyPrincipleExpected findingClinical utility
PEG precipitationRemove macrocomplexes≥ 20% signal reductionPractical initial screening
Heterophile blocking reagentsNeutralize interfering antibodiesSignificant result reductionHigh specificity
Serial dilutionAssess assay linearityNonlinear responseSimple screening
Alternative platform testingDifferent antibody architectureMarkedly discordant valuesSupportive confirmation
Clinician-laboratory collaborationIntegrated interpretationEarly recognitionPrevents harm

PEG: polyethylene glycol.