An enzyme immunoassay for determining 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in dried blood spots on filter paper using an ultramicroanalytical system.
BACKGROUND
17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone has been used for the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in the newborn period.


METHODS
A simple and rapid competitive ultramicro ELISA assay based on competition between 17-OHP-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and 17-OHP in blood specimens for a limited number of binding sites on specific polyclonal rabbit anti-17-OHP antibodies, has been developed for the measurement of 17-OHP in dried blood spots on filter paper. The assay buffer contains danazol to displace 17-OHP from steroid-binding proteins.


RESULTS
The 17-OHP assay was completed in 3 h, with a measuring range of 10-250 nmol/l. The intra- and inter-assay CV were 5.5-8.2% and 6.4-9.1%, respectively, depending on the 17-OHP concentrations. The recovery ranged from 98-103%. Of 3750 newborn samples collected on filter paper, 903 from the national neonatal screening program were analyzed, and the mean 17-OHP concentration was 12.2 nmol/l. Our assay showed high Pearson and concordance correlations with the commercially available ICN Neoscreen ELISA 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone kit.


CONCLUSIONS
The analytical performance characteristics of our 17-OHP Neonatal UMELISA suggest that it can be used for the neonatal screening of CAH.
González
Ernesto Carlos
EC
Department of Neonatal Screening, Immunoassay Center, 134 Street and 25 Avenue, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana, Cuba.
Marrero
Neivis
N
Pérez
Pedro Lucio
PL
Frómeta
Amarilys
A
Zulueta
Orlando
O
Herrera
Darlenis
D
Martínez
Luisa
L
Castells
Elisa
E
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008851:Micropore Filters
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone