Corticotropin hormone assay interference: A case series

D. M. Donegan; A. Algeciras-Schimnich; O. Hamidi; W. F. Young; T. Nippoldt; I. Bancos; D. Erickson

doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.11.006

Corticotropin hormone assay interference: A case series

D. M. Donegan, A. Algeciras-Schimnich, O. Hamidi, W. F. Young, T. Nippoldt, I. Bancos, D. Erickson

Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Measuring the plasma corticotropin (ACTH) concentration is an important step in determining the underlying cause in patients with hypercortisolemia. Interfering substances in immunoassays can lead to erroneous results impacting clinical management. We describe a case series of 12 patients, the majority of whom were being investigated for possible Cushing's syndrome and in whom inconsistencies between the clinical picture and biochemical testing raised concerns of assay interference. ACTH assay interference resulted in falsely elevated ACTH concentrations using the Siemens Immulite assay and consequently led to additional unnecessary testing. Communication between physician and laboratory as well as appropriate investigation (including sample dilution, use of blocking antibodies and testing on an alternate platform) resulted in assay interference identification. Recognition of biochemical results which are clinically discrepant remains an essential step in patient assessment.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	143-147
Number of pages	5
Journal	Clinical Biochemistry
Volume	63
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.11.006
State	Published - Jan 2019

Keywords

Assay interference
Corticotropin
Heterophile antibodies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Biochemistry

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10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.11.006

Cite this

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title = "Corticotropin hormone assay interference: A case series",

abstract = "Measuring the plasma corticotropin (ACTH) concentration is an important step in determining the underlying cause in patients with hypercortisolemia. Interfering substances in immunoassays can lead to erroneous results impacting clinical management. We describe a case series of 12 patients, the majority of whom were being investigated for possible Cushing's syndrome and in whom inconsistencies between the clinical picture and biochemical testing raised concerns of assay interference. ACTH assay interference resulted in falsely elevated ACTH concentrations using the Siemens Immulite assay and consequently led to additional unnecessary testing. Communication between physician and laboratory as well as appropriate investigation (including sample dilution, use of blocking antibodies and testing on an alternate platform) resulted in assay interference identification. Recognition of biochemical results which are clinically discrepant remains an essential step in patient assessment.",

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AU - Donegan, D. M.

AU - Algeciras-Schimnich, A.

AU - Hamidi, O.

AU - Young, W. F.

AU - Nippoldt, T.

AU - Bancos, I.

AU - Erickson, D.

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KW - Heterophile antibodies

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Corticotropin hormone assay interference: A case series

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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