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Alpha‐fetoprotein Determination: A Warning
Author(s) -
MARRINK J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1978.tb03937.x
Subject(s) - antiserum , immunoelectrophoresis , immunodiffusion , radioimmunoassay , alpha fetoprotein , radial immunodiffusion , chemistry , chromatography , polyclonal antibodies , counterimmunoelectrophoresis , electrophoresis , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , antigen , biology , biochemistry , antibody , immunology , hepatocellular carcinoma
Alpha‐1‐fetoprotein (AFP) was determined by different immunochemical techniques in the serum of a patient with liver cirrhosis. Although a precipitation line was observed against anti‐AFP antiserum, using bidimensional immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, countercurrent electrophoresis and rocket electrophoresis, this precipitation line however showed a reaction of non‐identity with a positive AFP control. Several different commercial anti‐AFP antisera gave the same false‐positive result. Analysis of the patient's serum revealed the falsely positive reacting component to be of IgM‐like nature, having a cathodal mobility. These findings are discussed in the light of the determination of slightly elevated AFP levels by a method such as the radioimmunoassay, not allowing identification by means of identity with control specimen. The consequence of our results is also discussed with respect to normal serum AFP. The described non‐AFP activity was detected regularly in sera taken over the period 1969–1976.