Joris R. Delanghe, Valerie Pede, Sylvie Mulliez, Hilde Vanpoucke, Marijn M. Speeckaert, Danielle Vandenweghe and Kris Gevaert

Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 9000 Ghent, Belgium

De Gruyter. Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation

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Product referenced:

Catalogue # M036020

Uromodulin Glycoprotein (UMOD, Tamm-Horsfall Glycoprotein, THP) ELISA

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ABSTRACT

Objectives: Humanchorionicgonadotropin(hCG)assaysare commonly used as a pregnancy test. False-positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) values in urine were reported in 15 patients (nine males and six females) presenting with urinary tract infection.

Methods: Extopic hCG production and presence of heter- ophilic antibodies were excluded as potential causes of interference.

Results: Orbitrap mass spectrometry revealed the presence of uromodulin, an abundant urinary glycoprotein, as the likely cause of the interference. Falsely elevated hCG values correlated well with urinary alpha 1 microglobulin (a tubular protein) concentrations and with the urinary leukocyte count. The false positive hCG signal disappeared after antibiotic administration.

Conclusions: These data suggest that false-positive hCG test results in urine may occur in patients presenting with upper urinary tract infections due to uromodulin interference.

To continue reading and to download the publication:

https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2024-0080