Albumin Analysis in Serum of Haemodialysis Patients: Discrepancies between Bromocresol Purple, Bromocresol Green and Electroimmunoassay

Abstract

The analysis of serum albumin by bromocresol purple (BCP), by bromocresol green (BCG) and by electroimmunoassay (EIA) was compared in a mixed group of 100 hospital patients. Good agreement between the immunochemical and BCP methods, but a positive bias with the BCG method led to routine use of the BCP method. In a group of 19 pediatric patients on chronic hemodialysis the mean BCP-albumin was found to be lower than the true albumin, as determined by EIA, whereas the positive bias using the BCG method remained. The difference between BCP-albumin and EIA-albumin in the hemodialysis group varied from 0 to -13 g/l (mean-7.1 g/l) but was effectively constant for most patients over a 3-mo. period. Possible mechanisms and necessary further investigations are discussed.