Immunochemistry
Many diseases such as monoclonal gammopathies, inflammation, immune deficiencies, nephropathological diseases, multiple sclerosis, etc. can be screened for or monitored by studying proteins.
TESTING
The Immunochemistry department can assay proteins in a variety of physiological media.
Monoclonal immunoglobulins are identified by immunoaffinity and immuno-electrophoresis (both of which are automated). Ig D (and occasionally monoclonal Ig E) as well as free monoclonal kappa and lambda light chains can be detected using specific antisera or special assays. After concentration, urine proteins are studied by high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis and immunoaffinity.
In cerebrospinal fluid, proteins are analysed by isoelectric focusing (the reference method), essentially for oligoclonal IgG profiling.
