Biochemia Medica, Vol. 24 No. 1, 2014.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.021
Abnormal gel flotation in a patient with apperant pneumonia diagnosis: a case report
Dilber Coban Ramazan
; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Ozgur Baykan
; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Onder Sirikci
; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Goncagul Haklar
; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Introduction: Serum blood collection tubes with separator gel are widely used by many laboratories for chemistry analyses. We describe a case of a primary blood collection tube filled with blood sample and a floating separator gel.
Materials and methods: The blood sample was collected from a 51 years old female in intensive care unit with the diagnosis of pneumonia into a BD Vacutainer SST tube (Becton Dickinson, NJ, USA) containing serum separator gel and conveyed to the core laboratory of Marmara University Hospital within 30 minutes from collection. Sample was immediately centrifuged at room temperature at 1500 x g for 10 minutes.
Results: The analyses revealed a highly increased total protein concentration of 145 g/L (reference interval 64-83 g/L). The nephelometric analyses showed an elevated serum IgG concentration of 108 g/L (reference interval 6.5-16 g/L) and IgG lambda monoclonal band was determined by serum immunofixation electrophoresis.
Conclusion: Limitation of the separator gel tubes in patients with a high plasma density and its possible effects on test results and laboratory costs should be remembered. The clinical diagnosis stated in the information system should also reveal known comorbid conditions besides the apparent admission reason. This information would avoid resampling, additional testing, and communication efforts with the clinicians.
Keywords
separator gel; preanalytical phase; blood collection tube; floating gel; hyperproteinemia
Hrčak ID:
115761
URI
Publication date:
15.2.2014.
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