Hi we have been using the Capillarys system now for around 6 -8 months.
Before this we were using a Beckman PACE MDQ capillary system.
The Beckman system is basically a research system, which does not have the
"bells and whistles" of the dedicated analyser and does not create a
pictorial representation of the "strip"
We have therefore built up a lot of experience in interpreting the
electropherograms without reference to a pseudo gel electrophoresis picture.
I believe this is the best way to interpret capillary electrophoresis and
forget the pictorial representation altogether.
Here at Nottingham we have no problems in the interpretation of the
electrophoreograms. There is always a difficulty in the detection of small
monoclonal components using capillary or gel electrophoresis, especially if
they have the same migration times as the beta and alpha regions. But I am
convinced that capillary electrophoresis is a far better tool for detecting
these smaller bands. By looking at the peak shape (on the electropherogram)
of the alpha and beta peaks you will be able to see small bumps, humps and
distorted symmetry in 99% of occasions when a monoclonal component is
present. If in any doubt it is best to do an immunofixation.
We did find at Nottingham that our immunofixation rate increased after the
introduction of capillary electrophoresis but we also seem to be detecting
more monoclonal components. There has been a change in the case workload at
City Hospital so this may account for this increase as the hospital itself
is actually treating more myeloma patients etc.
Hope this helps
Craig Webster
Principal Clinical Biochemist
Nottingham City Hospital
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-acb-clin-chem-gen [mailto:owner-acb-clin-chem-gen]
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 10:30 AM
To: cwebste1
Subject: Reading Electrophoresis on the Sebia Capillarys System
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