Routine Differential Diagnosis of Proteinurias by Capillary Electrophoresis

• Published in: Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine Vol. 39; no. 9; pp. 784 - 788
• Main Authors: Kolios, Georgios, Bairaktari, Eleni, Tsolas, Orestes, Seferiadis, Konstantin
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Walter de Gruyter 01.09.2001; New York, NY
• Subjects: Albuminuria - urine; Bence Jones Protein - urine; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnosis, Differential; Electrophoresis, Capillary - methods; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques of renal and urinary tract function; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Proteinuria - urine; Human; Urinary system disease; Renal function; Capillary electrophoresis; Exploration; Differential diagnostic; Bence Jones protein; Renal tubule; Laboratory investigations; Clinical biology; Glomerulus; Technique; Proteinuria
• ISSN: 1434-6621; 1437-4331
• DOI: 10.1515/CCLM.2001.129

Capillary electrophoresis is a relatively new analytical technique that begins to have an impact on both routine and research in clinical laboratories. Recently, a fully automated system has become commercially available (Paragon CZE 2000, Beckman, USA) for the analysis of human serum proteins. Urine protein analysis, on the other hand, is currently accomplished by electrophoresis of concentrated urine specimens. The method is used to distinguish the glomerular from the tubular proteinuria and for the identification of Bence-Jones proteins. The procedure is labor-intensive and technically demanding. We developed a technique for the serum capillary electrophoresis instrument that can also be applied routinely to the differential diagnosis of proteinurias. Overriding the programmed dilution step of the instrument, we were able to distinguish different types of proteinurias without concentration of specimens with a total protein content of 150–200 mg/l as determined by sulfosalicylic acid. The different electrophoretic patterns obtained by the capillary electrophoresis system for various specimens correlated well with established techniques (Hydragel Proteinurie Kit, Sebia, France). The method is applicable for routine analysis of urinary proteins. It is reliable, less expensive and faster than the conventional methods (electrophoretic or immunonephelometric) used today for the differentiation of proteinurias, and it can be used as a quick screening test.