Italian 
English CONTRIBUTI SCIENTIFICI – Scientific Papers
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2012; 36(4) 240-243
Pubblicato on-line:
DOI:
Preliminary evaluation of a new nephelometric reagent for the determination of serum free light chains
AUTORI
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “Tor Vergata”, Rome
ABSTRACT
The determination of free light chains (FLC) in serum of patients with monoclonal gammopathies is a valuable tool for diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of these conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the FLC reagents from New Scientific Company based on polyclonal antibodies with the Siemens assays (N Latex FLC) based on a mixture of monoclonal antibodies for the nephelometric determination of FLC in serum. Ninety-one serum samples were analyzed for FLC using both assays. Comparisons of the two FLC assays showed a slope of 4.87 (r=0.84) for ĸ FLC determination, a slope of 4.38 (r=0.83) for λ FLC determination, and a slope of 3.42 (r=0.60) for the k/λ FLC ratio. The concordance was 65% for ĸ FLC determinations, 63% for λ FLC, and 71% for k/λ FLC ratio. A preliminary evaluation suggests a higher sensitivity for N Latex FLC assays