Review article

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.020

False negativity to carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and drugs: a clinical case

Matteo Vidali ; Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
Vincenza Bianchi ; Toxicology Laboratory, Deaprtment of Clinical Pathology, SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
Marco Bagnati ; Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
Nadia Atzeni ; Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
Andrea Marco Bianchi ; Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
Giorgio Bellomo ; Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy

Abstract

Introduction: In this work we report on the possible effect of the medical therapy on CDT concentration in a chronic alcohol abuser, with known medical history (July 2007 – April 2012) and alcohol abuse confirmed by relatives.
Case history: At the end of 2007, patient displayed the following laboratory results: AST 137 U/L, ALT 120 U/L, GGT 434 U/L, MCV 101 fL and CDT 3.3%. On December 2007, after double coronary artery bypass surgery, he began a pharmacological treatment with amlodipine, perindopril, atorvastatin, isosorbide mononitrate, carvedilol, ticlopidine and pantoprazole. In the next months, until may 2011, the patient resumed alcohol abuse, as confirmed by relatives; however, CDT values were repeatedly found negative (0.8% and 1.1%) despite elevated transaminases and GGT, concurrent elevated ethyl glucuronide concentration (> 50 mg/L) and blood alcohol concentration (> 1 g/L). Alcohol consumption still continued despite increasing disulfiram doses ordered by an Alcohol Rehab Center. On May 2011, the patient was transferred to a private medical center where he currently lives.
Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility that a medical therapy including different drugs may hamper the identification of chronic alcohol abusers by CDT.

Keywords

carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; alcoholism; drug therapy, combination; false negative reactions

Hrčak ID:

115760

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/115760

Publication date:

15.2.2014.

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