Persistent False-Positive Troponin I Elevation Due to Heterophile Antibody Interference: A Case Report

Abstract

Troponins are important biomarkers in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this case report, we present the clinical course of an 80-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of fever, sore throat, and fatigue. Although the patient was initially diagnosed with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and coronavirus disease-2019 infection, detailed examinations revealed that elevated troponin I levels were due to heterophile antibodies and that the diagnosis of ACS was excluded. It was understood that the consistently elevated troponin I levels in the patient, who had previously undergone coronary angiography and long-term dual antiplatelet therapy with a diagnosis of ACS, were due to the presence of these antibodies. This case report demonstrates that clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive troponin results due to heterophile antibodies, particularly in patients with persistently elevated troponin levels without typical clinical and diagnostic findings.

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• troponins
• heterophile antibodies