Pros and cons of immunochemical and enzymatic method in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease.
BACKGROUND
Immunochemical method of measuring Ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels for the diagnosis of Wilson's disease has replaced enzymatic method for the main reason of being more sensitive and quantitative.


METHODS
In this study, we compared both the methods for various factors such as sensitivity, specificity and the time consumed in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease.


METHODS
Serum samples from patients (n=33) with a provisional diagnosis of Wilson's disease were analyzed for Cp levels by enzymatic copper oxidase method and immunochemical method using polyclonal antibodies specific to Cp embedded in agar.


METHODS
Pearson's regression analysis was performed to compare the two methods.


RESULTS
The mean Cp obtained by immunochemical method is 5.87 mm +/- 1.17 and by enzymatic method, it is 0.37 (Optical Density) +/- 0.136. Pearson's Regression analysis of the measurements showed a good correlation with an 'r' value of 0.765 between the two methods.


CONCLUSIONS
A good correlation indicated that these two tests are comparable and thus both these methods can be used together for a definitive and better diagnosis of Wilson's disease.
Gnanou
J V
JV
University of Seychelles American Institute of Medicine, MAHE, Seychelles. gnanou_j@yahoo.com
Thykadavil
V G
VG
Thuppil
V
V
D001681:Biological Assay; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D010088:Oxidoreductases; C024748:copper oxidase; D002570:Ceruloplasmin