What is the difference between Spep and Immunofixation

In addition, immunofixation technique can also determine the particular isotype of the monoclonal protein. However, immunofixation technique cannot estimate the quantity of the M protein. In contrast, SPEP is capable of estimating the concentration of an M protein.

What is SPEP with immunofixation?

This test is called serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test. Your doctor can use it to confirm certain diagnoses. The IFX test can also be used to study changes in the structure of normal proteins in the blood. One example is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

What is the difference between immunofixation electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis?

Immunofixation identified the proteins unambiguously in all six sera examined, whereas immunoelectrophoresis gave ambiguous results in one of the sera with high protein concentration and in three of the sera with low protein concentration. The superiority of immunofixation resulted from its greater resolution.

What is an immunofixation test?

Serum immunofixation. The immunofixation blood test is used to identify proteins called immunoglobulins in blood. Too much of the same immunoglobulin is usually due to different types of blood cancer. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that help your body fight infection.

What is the difference between serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation?

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is used to determine the type of each protein present and may indicate a characteristic curve (ie, where the spike is observed). … Immunofixation is used to identify the subtype of protein (ie, IgA lambda).

How is immunofixation performed?

The technique consists of depositing a serum (or urine which has been previously concentrated) sample on a gel. After application of an electric current that allows the separation of proteins according to their size, antibodies specific for each type of immunoglobulin are laid upon the gel.

When should I buy immunofixation?

An Immunofixation test is often ordered when someone has symptoms of diseases such as Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom’s Macroglobullinema, Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Sclerosis.

What is negative immunofixation?

Immunofixation consists of an electrophoresis phase and a fixation phase. Serum or urine immunofixation negative for a monoclonal protein or a polyclonal pattern is considered to be normal. CSF immunofixation that does not reveal oligoclonal bands is also considered normal.

What does a Spep blood test show?

The serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test measures specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases. Proteins are substances made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. Proteins carry a positive or a negative electrical charge, and they move in fluid when placed in an electrical field.

What does abnormal Spep mean?

What abnormal results for SPEP test may mean. The various proteins in the body perform different functions. This means that high or low levels of the five protein types examined during the test can point to different illnesses.

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How does Immunofixation electrophoresis Work?

Immunofixation electrophoresis consists of an electrophoretic phase followed by a fixation phase in which antiserum is used to precipitate the protein. As long as the antibody is in slight excess or near equivalency, the antigen/antibody complex remains insoluble.

What is Kappa Lambda?

Light chains are proteins produced by immune cells called plasma cells. Also called kappa and lambda light chains, they link together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) that target and neutralize specific threats to the body such as bacteria and viruses.

Why is immunoelectrophoresis used?

The method is mainly used clinically to determine the blood levels of immunoglobulins, and aids in the diagnosis and evaluation of the therapeutic response in many disease states affecting the immune system and also in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A similar technique is called rocket immunoelectrophoresis.

What does low albumin mean?

If you have a lower albumin level, you may have malnutrition. It can also mean that you have liver disease or an inflammatory disease. Higher albumin levels may be caused by acute infections, burns, and stress from surgery or a heart attack.

Does Immunofixation detect light chains?

Confirmation of heavy-chain and light-chain types of a monoclonal band today is done almost exclusively by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). IFE has greater sensitivity for detecting small monoclonal bands in the presence of polyclonal immunoglobulins. …

Is it good to have no monoclonal protein detected?

If no monoclonal protein is detected, further testing is not warranted. An expert panel of the College of American Pathologists developed the following guidelines for the laboratory evaluation of patients suspected of having one of these conditions (Arch Pathol Lab Med.

What does no Paraprotein detected mean?

If no paraprotein is detected after treatment or light chains return to normal levels, it is considered a complete response (CR). If the paraprotein has fallen and is still detectable and stable after treatment it is considered a partial response (PR).

What is Immunofixation for?

The immunofixation blood test is used to identify proteins called immunoglobulins in blood. Too much of the same immunoglobulin is usually due to different types of blood cancer. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that help your body fight infection.

What does Hypergammaglobulinemia mean?

Hypergammaglobulinemia is an uncommon condition that is usually the result of an infection, autoimmune disorder, or malignancy such as multiple myeloma. It’s characterized by elevated levels of immunoglobulins in your blood.

Is Immunofixation the same as Immunotyping?

Background: Serum immunofixation (IF) is a common laboratory test used to diagnose and monitor patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Similarly, immunotyping (IT) by capillary electrophoresis can confirm the presence of a monoclonal protein (M-protein) and determine its isotype.

What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

Bone x-rays X-rays can detect bone destruction caused by the myeloma cells. Often doctors will do a series of x-rays that includes most of the bones. This is called a bone survey or skeletal survey.

When should I order SPEP?

Other more-specific tests, including serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), can help determine the exact source, such as liver or bone marrow, as well as the specific protein type involved in your high blood protein levels. Your doctor may order an SPEP if he or she suspects you have a bone marrow disease.

Is multiple myeloma hereditary?

Family history. Multiple myeloma seems to run in some families. Someone who has a sibling or parent with myeloma is more likely to get it than someone who does not have this family history. Still, most patients have no affected relatives, so this accounts for only a small number of cases.

What is considered a high level of M protein?

High levels mean the disease is more advanced and may indicate a poor prognosis. The presence of any M spike is abnormal and shows the presence of an abnormal clone of plasma cells. If the amount of protein is ≥30 g/L and/or there are other disease symptoms, the patient may have myeloma.

Can you have myeloma for years without knowing?

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they’re sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won’t have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

What are plasma cell dyscrasias?

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells that produce a clonal immunoglobulin protein (i.e., monoclonal gammopathies or paraproteinemias). They are derived from malignant B lymphocytes. Common plasma cell dyscrasias include multiple myeloma and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.

What protein is elevated in multiple myeloma?

Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood. When myeloma is active, levels of a chemical messenger in the blood called interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated. IL-6 blocks production of albumin, so low albumin levels can signal more aggressive myeloma.

What is an M spike?

A monoclonal spike (M spike or paraprotein) on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a frequent finding in the general population and typically is pathognomonic of an asymptomatic, premalignant condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

What is an abnormal protein band?

When an abnormal band on either a serum or a urine electrophoresis pattern suggests the presence of a single type of immunoglobulin (monoclonal), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) or immunosubtraction electrophoresis can be used as follow-up tests to further identify abnormal proteins.

What is MGUS?

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an abnormal protein — known as monoclonal protein or M protein — is in your blood. This abnormal protein is formed within your bone marrow, the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones.

Which is worse kappa or lambda?

Patients with lambda light chain disease have a three times worse prognosis than kappa light chain disease.