Effect of ampicillin-sulbactam on clinical capillary zone electrophoresis of serum proteins.
BACKGROUND
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a well-accepted automated method used to separate serum proteins and detect monoclonal components. CZE uses ultraviolet detection at 214 nm to directly quantify proteins via peptide bonds. Any substance that absorbs at 214 nm and is present in serum can potentially interfere with CZE analysis. This has been reported for radio-contrast media and antibiotics.


METHODS
Here we describe a peak on the anode side of the alpha(2)-globulin fraction caused by the antibiotic ampicillin-sulbactam (Unacid).


CONCLUSIONS
Extra peaks that can be misinterpreted as monoclonal components can be present in almost all electrophoretic fractions of CZE. Immunosubtraction or immunofixation is always required to rule out these conditions.
Siede
Dominik
D
Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Klinikum-Lippe GmbH, Detmold, Germany.
Möller
Helgard
H
Siede
Werner H
WH
Regeniter
Axel
A
D000667:Ampicillin; D016477:Artifacts; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013407:Sulbactam
C035444:sultamicillin; D000667:Ampicillin; D013407:Sulbactam