The effects of 0.1 and 1.0 per cent erythrocytes and hemolysis on serum chemistry values.

Author(s): Laessig RH, Hassemer DJ, Paskey TA, Schwartz TH

Publication: Am J Clin Pathol, 1976, Vol. 66, Page 639-44

PubMed ID: 970364 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of contamination of serum with intact or hemolyzed red blood cells on serum chemistry values. Whole blood, with or without sodium saponin-induced hemolysis, was added to serum from healthy individuals and 40 clinical chemistry tests were performed.

   Summary of Findings:

   Contamination of serum with 0.1% or 1% non-hemolyzed erythrocytes had no effect on any of the 40 tests performed in this study. Contamination of serum with 1% hemolyzed erythrocytes turned the serum a cherry red color which would most likely lead to rejection of the specimen for analysis. Indeed this level of contamination led to gross changes in clinical chemistry values including increased calcium, phosphorus, total protein, magnesium, albumin, and direct cholesterol levels in addition to increases seen with 0.1% hemolyzed erythrocytes. Importantly, contamination of serum with 0.1% hemolyzed erythrocytes caused significant increases in lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, iron, and iron-binding capacity, and potassium. Contamination at this level was not visually apparent and these specimens would most likely not be rejected for analysis in a clinical setting on the basis of hemolysis.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Electrolyte/Metal	Flame emission photometry
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Lipid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Spectrophotometry
   Peptide	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Biospecimen components	Serum 0.1% erythrocytes in serum 0.1% hemolyzed erythrocytes in serum 1% erythrocytes in serum 1% hemolyzed erythrocytes in serum Serum with sodium saponin
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Hemolysis	Hemolysate added No hemolysate added Chemically-induced

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