Publications

Publications Search

Search for publications by author
Search for publications by abstract keyword(s)

Comparison of the Freelite serum free light chain (SFLC) assay with serum and urine electrophoresis/immunofixation and the N Latex FLC assay

Abstract

Few reports have compared available serum free light chain (SFLC) assays. Here, a retrospective audit of the Freelite SFLC assay compared results to electrophoresis (EP)/immunofixation (IFX) and the N Latex FLC assay.A total of 244 samples collected over 3.5 months were studied using the Freelite and N Latex FLC nephelometry assays. Results were compared with serum and/or urine EP/IFX. The precision and linearity of the N Latex FLC assay was examined.Detectable paraprotein by serum or urine EP/IFX was present in 94% of samples with kappa and 100% with lambda FLC restriction. The correlation between the assays was higher for kappa (rho = 0.97) than lambda (rho = 0.89) especially when lambda results were above the upper limit of normal (rho = 0.62). Agreement in the categorical diagnosis as measured by the Cohen's kappa statistic was good (0.70). The N Latex FLC assay displayed good precision and linearity. In discordant samples the Freelite and N Latex FLC assays had equivalent agreement with IFX.Traditional methods of EP/IFX detected paraproteins in the majority of cases. Correlation between the Freelite and N Latex FLC assay is better for kappa than lambda FLC. The two assays are not entirely equivalent. Care should be taken by interpreting physicians and laboratories considering switching assays.

Type Journal
ISBN 1465-3931 (Electronic) 0031-3025 (Linking)
Authors Sasson, S. C. ; McGill, K. ; Wienholt, L. ; Carr, A. ; Brown, D. A. ; Kelleher, A. D. ; Breit, S. N. ; Sewell, W. A.;
Responsible Garvan Author Professor Bill Sewell
Publisher Name PATHOLOGY
Published Date 2015-01-01
Published Volume 47
Published Issue 6
Published Pages 564-9
Status Published in-print
URL link to publisher's version http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26352111
OpenAccess link to author's accepted manuscript version https://publications.gimr.garvan.org.au/open-access/13300