title: Non-invasive detection of iron deficiency by fluorescence measurement of erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in the lip.
abstract: Worldwide, more individuals have iron deficiency than any other health problem. Most of those affected are unaware of their lack of iron, in part because detection of iron deficiency has required a blood sample. Here we report a non-invasive method to optically measure an established indicator of iron status, red blood cell zinc protoporphyrin, in the microcirculation of the lower lip. An optical fibre probe is used to illuminate the lip and acquire fluorescence emission spectra in ∼1 min. Dual-wavelength excitation with spectral fitting is used to distinguish the faint zinc protoporphyrin fluorescence from the much greater tissue background fluorescence, providing immediate results. In 56 women, 35 of whom were iron-deficient, the sensitivity and specificity of optical non-invasive detection of iron deficiency were 97% and 90%, respectively. This fluorescence method potentially provides a rapid, easy to use means for point-of-care screening for iron deficiency in resource-limited settings lacking laboratory infrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 19, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 19, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Homann
authors.affiliation: Perinatalzentrum Großhadern, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Teksan
authors.affiliation: Perinatalzentrum Großhadern, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hasbargen
authors.affiliation: Perinatalzentrum Großhadern, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasmüller
authors.affiliation: Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Lesca M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Holdt
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khaled
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 19, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sroka
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Kompetenz-Zentrum für Porphyriediagnostik und Konsultation, MVZ Labor PD Dr. Volkmann und Kollegen GbR, Kriegsstrasse 99, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stauch
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 19, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stepp
authors.affiliation: Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogeser
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, Children's Hospital of New York, Room CHN 10-08, 3959 Broadway, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Brittenham
mesh_terms: D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019189:Iron Metabolism Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008046:Lip / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007501:Iron