Comparison of fully automated and manual systems for protein immunofixation electrophoresis

Abstract

Serum immunofixation electrophoresis is a laboratory test   used for the diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of multiple myeloma. Monoclonal immunoglobulins can be detected even at low doses.  This may help discover the early stages of myelomatosis and report results quickly.   There are many different methods of immunofixation electrophoresis. Currently, the laboratory uses a manual system. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of the QuickGel^® CHAMBER (manual) and the Interlab G26 Easy Fix automatic machine (fully automated) in immunofixation electrophoresis.  That could be an alternative to the laboratories. In samples from 55 participants, the protein strip readings of the QuickGel^® CHAMBER and the Interlab G26 Easy Fix were consistent in 54 participants and one participant was mismatched. Cohen's kappa coefficient was analyzed by using the Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.18.0 and the Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.978, indicating consistency. In conclusion, immunofixation electrophoresis with the Interlab G26 Easy Fix can be used in laboratories as well the  QuickGel^® CHAMBER, depending on the suitability of each laboratory. However, there should be a study on the quantitative factor of immunoglobulin with high volume and the appropriate ratio further to dilute the serum of the Interlab G26 Easy Fix automatic machine to get the most accurate, precise and efficient test results.