title: Radioimmunoassay of beta-thromboglobulin. False high values from frozen plasma samples.
abstract: Aliquots of plasma samples assayed after storage at -26 degrees C can show a significantly higher level of measured beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) than the corresponding unstored aliquots. Blood spun at the recommended speed of 1,800 X g still contains platelets that will release beta-TG on freezing to yield false results--a point that has not been stressed in the literature. Aliquots of blood plasma spun at either 1,800 X g (low speed [LS]) or 20,000 X g (high speed [HS]) were assayed by radioimmunoassay fresh and after storage at 4 degrees C or -26 degrees C. Storage at -26 degrees C increased mean beta-TG values of fresh or 4 degrees C stored LS samples from 0.78 to 1.94 nmol/L (28-70 ng/mL), whereas all HS mean values were +/- 0.51 nmol/L (between 18 and 19 ng/mL). The authors believe that in addition to the accepted precautions regarding blood sampling and handling, it is essential to stress that for accurate measurement of beta-TG in plasma, samples should be centrifuged at HS or, if this is not feasible, that they be assayed as soon as possible without prior freezing.
authors.affiliation: Nufflied Transplant Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fiskerstrand
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Burnet
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Anderton
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013696:Temperature; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin