Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Open Access

Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States

Publications

• Research Article   
  Comparison of Electrophoretic Systems to Detect Occult IgA Monoclonal Immunoglobulins
  Author(s): Penn Muluhngwi*, Tyler Yin, Karen M. Cost and Ronald J. Elin
  
  Background: Monoclonal Immunoglobulins (MIs) are screened using Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE). In SPE, proteins are separated in an agarose gel by their electrophoretic mobility and charge distribution. MIs are present in the gamma globulin region, but can also be found in the beta or alpha-2 region, which can make quantitation and interpretation inaccurate. Elevated beta globulin may be an indication of iron deficiency anemia, 3rd trimester pregnancy or oral contraceptive use. CZE resolves the betaglobulin as two peaks; beta-1 (transferrin) and beta-2 (complement proteins (C3)) regions. We present six cases that illustrate the resolving power of 6-band CZE vs. 5-band SPE to detect IgA and IgM MI bands hidden within the beta region. Methods: SPE and CZE were performed using t.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2736-6588.24.7.295

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