[SP-1 and beta-HCG in suspected ectopic pregnancy (author's transl)]

Serum levels of SP-1 and beta HCG as Trophoblastic Markers were measured in 31 women operated on suspected ectopic pregnancy. In all 24 patients with tubal pregnancy SP-1 levels estimated by enzyme immunoassay Enzygnost were higher than 5 ng/ml, whereas SP-1 levels in 7 cases with benign ovarian cysts were less than 2 ng/ml. Beta-HCG in serum was analysed by radioimmunoassay (Serono-Biodata): in cases with ectopic pregnancy serum levels were between 113 mIU/ml and 1040 mIU/ml, in the 7 nonpregnant cases the highest concentration was 7 mIU/ml. There was no correlation between serum concentration of SP-1 and beta-HCG (r = 0,571). In view of clinical practice preference is given to estimation of SP-1 by enzyme immunoassay over estimation of beta-HCG by radioimmunoassay, the reasons are discussed.