title: Influence of ambient temperature on the Ektachem DT60 results for total bilirubin and total protein.
abstract: We evaluated the Kodak Ektachem DT60 analyzer with the DTE module in a two-month clinical trial before its introduction in the Netherlands. At ambient temperatures that differed from that at which the DT60 was calibrated, aberrant behavior for total bilirubin and total protein assays was observed. At subnormal temperatures the former gave higher results than expected, and the latter, lower results. We found a similar effect for total protein determined by the manual biuret reaction at different temperatures, when results were calculated from calibration at a fixed temperature. Total bilirubin assayed by the manual diazobilirubin method showed no such effect. Although the DT60 analyzer is equipped with a temperature-regulated incubator, we conclude that the manufactures's recommended room temperature range for these assays should be narrowed and the three-month calibration period adjusted according to external circumstances.
mesh_terms: D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000592:standards; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D001663:Bilirubin