title: Recommendations for standardized reporting of protein electrophoresis in Australia and New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although protein electrophoresis of serum (SPEP) and urine (UPEP) specimens is a well-established laboratory technique, the reporting of results using this important method varies considerably between laboratories. The Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists recognized a need to adopt a standardized approach to reporting SPEP and UPEP by clinical laboratories.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Working Party considered available data including published literature and clinical studies, together with expert opinion in order to establish optimal reporting practices. A position paper was produced, which was subsequently revised through a consensus process involving scientists and pathologists with expertise in the field throughout Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recommendations for standardized reporting of protein electrophoresis have been produced. These cover analytical requirements: detection systems; serum protein and albumin quantification; fractionation into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and gamma fractions; paraprotein quantification; urine Bence Jones protein quantification; paraprotein characterization; and laboratory performance, expertise and staffing. The recommendations also include general interpretive commenting and commenting for specimens with paraproteins and small bands together with illustrative examples of reports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations are provided for standardized reporting of protein electrophoresis in Australia and New Zealand. It is expected that such standardized reporting formats will reduce both variation between laboratories and the risk of misinterpretation of results.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Pathology Department, Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia. jill_tate@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Grahame
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jovanovich
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wienholt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mollee
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D009520:New Zealand; D010266:Paraproteins / Q000032:analysis; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010266:Paraproteins