Four methods compared for measuring des-carboxy-prothrombin (PIVKA-II).
PIVKA-II (Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence) is abnormal des-carboxylated prothrombin, which is present in vitamin K deficiency or in patients using warfarin. With a sensitive method for PIVKA-II, biochemical vitamin K deficiency can be established before clinical symptoms occur. We give an overview of methods used to detect PIVKA-II, and four selected methods are inter-compared: (a) measuring total factor II including PIVKA-II by using Echis carinatus snake venom as an activator of prothrombin; (b) measuring PIVKA-II by using snake venom as an activator of factor II after adsorption of functional factor II onto barium sulfate; (c) electrophoresis-immunofixation method; and (d) enzyme immunoassay. We found d to be the most sensitive and reliable method for PIVKA-II.
Widdershoven
J
J
Laboratory of the Department of Pediatrics and Surgery, Nijmegen University Hospital, The Netherlands.
van Munster
P
P
De Abreu
R
R
Bosman
H
H
van Lith
T
T
van der Putten-van Meyel
M
M
Motohara
K
K
Matsuda
I
I
D000327:Adsorption; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D015415:Biomarkers; D004586:Electrophoresis; D010450:Endopeptidases; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014757:Viper Venoms; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014757:Viper Venoms; D001466:Barium Sulfate; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D011516:Prothrombin; D010450:Endopeptidases; C020097:ecarin