Performance characteristics of the Beckman Coulter total βhCG (5th IS) assay

Beckman Coulter recently released the first commercially available hCG reagent calibrated against the 5th International Standard (IS) for hCG (total βhCG (5th IS)). We performed a comprehensive analytical validation of this reagent.

Precision experiments were completed using 3 concentrations of commercial quality control material. Linearity, sample stability, and analytical sensitivity were evaluated using pools of human serum. Reportable range was assessed by comparing manual dilutions to those performed by the instrument. Male and female reference intervals were established using residual serum specimens submitted for routine testing. Inter-lot variability of hCG assay reagent was assessed by analyzing serum specimens with detectable hCG using 2 different reagent lots. Inter-assay variability was established using 203 serum specimens analyzed for hCG on 6 different reagent platforms.

Inter-day precision showed a CV of <6.0% for all concentrations of QC material. LOB, LOD, and LOQ were determined to be 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6 U/l, respectively. The Access (5th IS) reagent has an average positive bias of approximately 20% when compared to most platforms and the previous generation Beckman hCG assay. Results were consistent between lots. Female reference intervals varied by age: <1.0 U/l (<41 y), <6.0 U/l (41-50 y), and <8.0 U/l (>50 y). Male reference intervals were <2.0 U/l.

The analytical performance of the total βhCG (5th IS) was established. Care should be taken to re-baseline patients needing serial monitoring and/or notify physicians when transitioning to the total βhCG (5th IS) reagent.