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A kinetic nephelometric method for the assay of serum C3 and C4.

A two-point, fixed interval kinetic, nephelometric method for the immunoassay of serum C3 and serum C4 using a laser-modified, centrifugal fast analyzer is described. The procedure shows a precision of 2.45 percent (coefficient of variation, C.V.) for C3 at a mean concentration of 151 mg per dl and 3.65 percent (C.V.) for C4 at a mean concentration of 26.6 mg per dl. The kinetic method was found to give a satisfactory correlation with a continuous flow immunonephelometric procedure.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An overview of the laboratory diagnosis of lead poisoning.

Four tests for the evaluation of lead poisoning are reviewed from both the clinical and methodological aspects. Whole blood or erythrocyte lead measurements appear to provide the best means of assessing the bodily burden of lead with electrothermal and Delves cup flame atomic absorption spectorphotometric techniques providing accurate and precise results. Urine lead is less reliable as a screening test for lead poisoning but is excellent for monitoring the course of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) therapy. Atomic absorption methods for urine are made difficult by the variable matrix of urine but satisfactory electrothermal and flame procedures have been described. Erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity is a very sensitive index of lead exposure,--perhaps too sensitive. Analytical procedures for measuring this enzyme are subject to errors and many complicating factors such as lack of stability of the specimen limit the usefulness of the test. Urine delta-aminolevulinic acid is of questionable value as a screening procedure and also is subject to analytical problems.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗