Dear Colleagues,
We are conducting a review of plasma albumin values in dialysis
patients, with particular reference to treatment guidelines. The well
known difference between BCP and BCG methods was incorporated into older
guidelines, but appears to be ignored in some recent ones. As we use the
BCP assay (on Beckman-Coulter LX20s/DcX) this is causing us some difficulty.
In a preliminary study (n=55) we confirmed the BCG higher than BCP (or
BCP lower than BCG, depending on your point of view). The mean
difference was about 4g/L.
As part of our study we would like to compare the dye-binding methods to
a 'reference' method. One method cited recently as a reference method
was RID (Radial Immuno Diffusion). A few papers we have seen quote
immuno-assay / immuno-nephelometric assay as reference or 'gold
standard' methods.
We would appreciate advice on two aspects of this study.
a) What antibody-based assays are available for plasma / serum albumin,
and what might be considered a reference method?
b) In practical terms (if I don't want to set up a huge in-house
evaluation of a new assay) what options do people consider would allow
me to do get reference albumin values on some of my samples?
c) We are also investigating our reference range for albumin (we believe
it is too high). Has anyone established a reference range for albumin?
Thanks in advance.
Peadar McGing.
--
Dr Peadar McGing, MRCPath EurClinChem,
Principal Biochemist,
Biochemistry Dept,
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital,
Dublin 7, Ireland.
Tel: (+353 1)8032080; Fax: (+353 1)8034781.
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