False bisalbuminemia and hyperalphafetoproteinemia

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2010 Nov;34(11):636-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gcb.2010.08.006. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Abstract

The capillary electrophoresis is a very powerful separation method offering a high degree of resolution. However, certain interferences can be detected giving transitory shoulders or peaks. We report the case of a serum protein electrophoresis performed with Capillarys (Sebia) in a 68-year-old patient, hospitalized for cancer of the head of the pancreas, which showed an important shoulder in the migratory range of albumin, simulating bisalbuminemia. An interference with alphafetoprotein was proven explaining this electrophoretic aspect.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Albumins / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • alpha-Fetoproteins
  • bisalbumins