Increase in Troponin I Levels due to Heterophilic Antibody Interference: Is Influenza Responsible for this False Troponin Elevation ? - Abstract
A 63-year-old woman was admitted for influenza A infection and elevated cardiac troponin I without dynamic changes on the ECG. She had recently undergone coronary angiography which had shown normal coronary vessels. Her troponin I levels were persistently elevated while simultaneous CK-MB levels were normal. Troponin I levels tested using a different assay remained significantly lower. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of heterophile antibodies interfering with the troponin I assay leading to a false positive result. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of influenza in producing heterophile antibodies.