engleski

Interlaboratory study into the proficiency of attribution of human serum butyrylcholinesterase phenotypes: Reference values of activities and inhibitor numbers

Correct recognition of butyrylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.8) variants in human serum is essential if patients who are susceptible to a prolonged reaction following treatment with short acting muscle relaxants are to be successfully identified. Together with any relatives who may be similarly affected, they can then be given appropriate advice. In order to assess the ability of clinical laboratories to perform this task a proficiency programme was organised which operated over four and a half years. Serum specimens were taken from selected sensitive and non-sensitive patients who had previously been investigated in the reference laboratory. The reference values for activities and inhibitor numbers of human serum butyrylcholinesterase phenotypes were thus obtained and presented in this paper. Of 1035 samples distributed 983 reports were returned. On 83% of these the correct conclusion was drawn, 11% were incorrect, and in 6% no phenotype was attributed or no definitive interpretation could be made. An average of twenty nine laboratories participated in each of the 36 runs. In the second half of the programme a noticeable improvement in performance was observed, primarily associated with a reduction in the number of occasions on which no phenotype was ascribed.

human serum butyrylcholinesterase; phenotypes; activity measurement; reference values; inhibition; quality control

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