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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference01:25

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference

Interference leads to systematic error in atomic absorption (AA) measurements by enhancing or diminishing the analytical signal or the background. These interferences can be grouped into three main categories: spectral interference, chemical interference, and physical interference.
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...
Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors01:15

Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors

In the case of systematic errors, the sources can be identified, and the errors can be subsequently minimized by addressing these sources. According to the source, systematic errors can be divided into sampling, instrumental, methodological, and personal errors.
Sampling errors originate from improper sampling methods or the wrong sample population. These errors can be minimized by refining the sampling strategy. Defective instruments or faulty calibrations are the sources of instrumental...
Immunoprecipitation01:20

Immunoprecipitation

Immunoprecipitation, or IP, is a widely used technique that employs protein-antibody interactions to isolate proteins or protein complexes in their native state for studying protein-protein interactions, quaternary structures, or supramolecular complexes. Various modifications of the technique, including chromatin IP, cross-linking IP, and fluorescence IP, are commonly used.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
Chromatin immunoprecipitation, also known as ChIP, is used to study protein-DNA or...
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences01:20

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences

Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and refractory oxide ion...
Contaminants and Errors01:16

Contaminants and Errors

Effective sample preparation is crucial for accurate and reliable laboratory analysis. During this process, two significant sources of error can arise: concentration bias from improper sample splitting and contamination caused by methods used to reduce particle size, such as grinding or homogenization. Identifying and minimizing these potential errors is crucial to ensuring the validity of the analysis.
Another key consideration is determining the appropriate number of samples required to...
Data Validation01:15

Data Validation

Method validation is a crucial process in analytical chemistry designed to confirm that a given method consistently produces reliable and high-quality results. This process is essential when a method is applied to different sample matrices or when procedural modifications are made, ensuring that the results meet acceptable standards across various applications.
Key parameters for method validation include:

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Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
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Published on: September 12, 2016

Analytical error and interference in immunoassay: minimizing risk.

Catharine M Sturgeon1, Adie Viljoen

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK. C.Sturgeon@ed.ac.uk

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|July 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Immunoassays can produce inaccurate patient results due to specimen interference, which is hard to detect. Vigilant communication and specific lab tests are crucial to prevent misdiagnosis from these analytical errors.

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Area of Science:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Analytical Toxicology

Background:

  • Immunoassays are vital diagnostic tools but are susceptible to analytical errors.
  • Specimen-related interferences, such as cross-reacting substances or antibodies, can lead to falsely high or low results.
  • High-dose hook effect is a specific cause of erroneously low tumor marker results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the challenges and implications of analytical errors in immunoassays.
  • To emphasize the difficulty in detecting specimen-related interferences.
  • To recommend strategies for minimizing clinical mismanagement due to unsuspected interference.

Main Methods:

  • Review of potential causes of immunoassay interference.
  • Discussion of common laboratory investigations for interference (e.g., linearity, recovery, blocking tubes, method comparison).
  • Emphasis on communication between clinical and laboratory staff.

Main Results:

  • Analytical errors in immunoassays can have severe consequences for patient care.
  • Specimen properties are a significant source of unpredictable interference.
  • No universal method exists to identify all problematic specimens beforehand.

Conclusions:

  • Interference in immunoassays is an ever-present risk, even in well-managed labs.
  • Clinical correlation is essential when immunoassay results seem discordant.
  • Effective communication and specific laboratory investigations are key to mitigating risks.