heterophil /het·ero·phil/ (het´er-o-fil″)
heterophil
heterophil [het´er-o-fil″]
1. a granular leukocyte represented by neutrophils in humans, but characterized in other mammals by granules which have variable sizes and staining characteristics.
2. heterophilic.
het·er·o·phil (h t  -r -f l ) or het·er·o·phile (-f l)n. A granulocyte; in humans, a neutrophil. adj. Relating to heterogenetic antigens or to antibodies directed against such antigens. |
heterophil
[het′ərofil′]
Etymology: Gk, heteros + philein, to love
having affinity for something unusual or abnormal, as an antibody that recognizes an antigen other than the one it is expected to challenge. Also spelled heterophile [-fīl′] .
heterophil [het´er-o-fil″]
1. a finely granular polymorphonuclear leukocyte represented by neutrophils in human, but characterized in other mammals by granules that have variable sizes and staining characteristics.
2. heterophilic (def. 1).
heterophil antibody a characteristic antibody found with infectious mononucleosis, demonstrated in 90 to 95 per cent of adolescents and adults and 50 per cent of children with the disease. It declines in titer after acute illness has resolved but may be detectable for up to 9 months after disease onset.
heterophil
1. a finely granular polymorphonuclear leukocyte represented by neutrophils in humans, but characterized in other mammals by granules (lysosomes) that have variable sizes and staining characteristics.
2. heterophilic.
heterophil antigen
see heterogenetic antigen.
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