Thibault Lepoutre

Aldosterone testing: evaluation of a novel automated immunoassay.

Abstract Aldosterone levels are increased in primary aldosteronism (PA) and might be triggered in several cardiovascular disorders. The aim of our study was to assess the analytical validity of a novel automated aldosterone immunoassay. Method comparison was also performed with a reference radioimmunoassay. We report for the first time the analytical validity of the LIAISON® aldosterone automated immunoassay. Such automated assay might therefore facilitate the screening of PA and risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases.

Quantification of serum free light chain kappa and lambda by the SPAPLUS analyser.

OBJECTIVE Clinical assessment of the SPAPLUS® system for the determination of the serum free light chains kappa (κ FLC) and lambda (λ FLC) compared to the BNII®. DESIGN AND METHODS 126 serum specimens from our routine activity were analysed on two different analysers: the BNII® (immunonephelometry, Siemens) and the SPAPLUS® (turbidimetry, Binding Site). We compared the absolute values of the serum κ FLC and λ FLC, as well as the FLC κ/λ ratio on both analysers. These results were further evaluated together with the clinical history of the patients. RESULTS Regression analysis between the BNII® and the SPAPLUS® for κ FLC and λ FLC did not display any significant differences between both methods in the normal and pathological ranges. Nevertheless, some differences have been observed for some patients in the absolute value of the involved light chain, with potential clinical implications. CONCLUSION The results show overall good concordance between both methods. However, it is recommended that the monitoring of patients affected by monoclonal gammapathies by measuring FLC, be performed in the same laboratory and by the same method. Moreover, the FLC results should always be interpreted together with other laboratory tests taking into account the patients diagnosis.

Measurement of NT-proBNP with LOCI® technology in heart failure patients

OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to determine NT-proBNP concentrations in heart failure (HF) patients with a luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay (LOCI). DESIGN AND METHODS Seventy HF patients were enrolled. NT-proBNP levels were measured with LOCI method and compared to a reference NT-proBNP assay. RESULTS LOCI NT-proBNP levels were significantly correlated with the reference NT-proBNP assay and were related to HF severity. CONCLUSIONS LOCI assay demonstrates performances close to the comparative assay for NT-proBNP testing and allows a significant reduction of the time of analysis.

First trimester placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 are significantly related to PAPP-A levels

*Corresponding author : Dr. Damien Gruson, P o le de recherche en Endocrinologie, Diab e te et Nutrition, Institut de Recherche Exp e rimentale et Clinique, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc et Universit e Catholique de Louvain, Tour Claude Bernard, 54 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium, Phone: + 32 2 7646747, Fax: + 32 2 7645418, E-mail: damien.gruson@uclouvain.be Damien Gruson, Clemence Djuidj e Yuemo, Jean-Fran c ois Classen and Thibault Lepoutre: Department of Laboratory Medicine , Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc et Universit e Catholique de Louvain, Brussels , Belgium Nicolas Piquard and Frederic Debi e ve: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University Hospitals St-Luc et Universit e Catholique de Louvain, Brussels , Belgium