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ARTICLE |

False-Positive Radioimmunoassay Pregnancy Test in Nephrotic Syndrome FREE

Rolland F. Regester, MD; Pennell Painter, PhD
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JAMA. 1981;246(12):1337-1338. doi:10.1001/jama.1981.03320120041025
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THE TECHNIQUE of radioimmunoassay (RIA) is currently the most popular method for measurement of hormone levels in plasma or serum. Radioimmunoassay combines excellent sensitivity with precision and freedom from interference. However, subtle differences in RIA procedures can make a substantial difference in the reliability of this technique on serum or plasma samples from nephrotic patients. We report a case that shows repeated false elevations of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels during a period of nephrosis.

Report of a Case  A 17-year-old girl was seen because of gross edema of one to two weeks' duration. There was no history of renal disease or a recent known precipitating event. Her last menses had been approximately three months previously, and there had been at least one subsequent exposure to pregnancy. Urine pregnancy tests of unknown type done elsewhere during the previous week were said to be positive.Examination revealed generalized edema, with a

REFERENCES

Chen I-W, Heminger L, Maxon HR, et al:  Nonspecific binding as a source of error in thyrotropin radioimmunoassay with polyethylene glycol as separating agent . Clin Chem 1980;; 26:487-490.
Rash JM, Jerkunica I, Sgoutas DS:  Lipid interference in steroid radioimmunoassay . Clin Chem 1980;;26:84-88.
Chard T:  An introduction to radioimmunoassay and related techniques , in Work TS, Work E (eds): Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . Amsterdam, North-Holland Publishing Co, 1978;, vol 6, pt 3, pp 299-534.
Desbuquois B, Aurbach GD:  Use of polyethylene glycol to separate free and antibody-bound peptide hormones in radioimmunoassays . J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1971;;33:732-738.
Ermshar CL, Gusseck DJ:  Use of polyethylene glycol in radioimmunoassay of human placental lactogen . Clin Chem 1978;;24:1767-1769.
Waller SJ, Taylor RP, Andrews BS:  A polyethylene glycol radioimmunoprecipitation assay for human immunoglobulin G . J Immunol Methods 1979;;30:171-177.
Ingham KC:  Precipitation of proteins with polyethylene glycol: Characterization of albumin . Arch Biochem Biophys 1978;;186:106-113.
Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Kemper FH, et al:  The relative merits of polyethylene glycol as a separating agent in the radioimmunoassay of thyroid hormones . Clin Chim Acta 1979;;97:179-190.

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Chen I-W, Heminger L, Maxon HR, et al:  Nonspecific binding as a source of error in thyrotropin radioimmunoassay with polyethylene glycol as separating agent . Clin Chem 1980;; 26:487-490.
Rash JM, Jerkunica I, Sgoutas DS:  Lipid interference in steroid radioimmunoassay . Clin Chem 1980;;26:84-88.
Chard T:  An introduction to radioimmunoassay and related techniques , in Work TS, Work E (eds): Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . Amsterdam, North-Holland Publishing Co, 1978;, vol 6, pt 3, pp 299-534.
Desbuquois B, Aurbach GD:  Use of polyethylene glycol to separate free and antibody-bound peptide hormones in radioimmunoassays . J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1971;;33:732-738.
Ermshar CL, Gusseck DJ:  Use of polyethylene glycol in radioimmunoassay of human placental lactogen . Clin Chem 1978;;24:1767-1769.
Waller SJ, Taylor RP, Andrews BS:  A polyethylene glycol radioimmunoprecipitation assay for human immunoglobulin G . J Immunol Methods 1979;;30:171-177.
Ingham KC:  Precipitation of proteins with polyethylene glycol: Characterization of albumin . Arch Biochem Biophys 1978;;186:106-113.
Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Kemper FH, et al:  The relative merits of polyethylene glycol as a separating agent in the radioimmunoassay of thyroid hormones . Clin Chim Acta 1979;;97:179-190.
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