Diagnostic significance of serum protein electrophoresis

Serum protein electrophoresis is a simple, reliable and specific method of separating different protein fractions. A study was carried out in 1556 symptomatic cases reported to Department of Chemical Pathology, Army Medical College fbr serum protein electrophoresis. Aims and objectives were to see the diagnostic significance of protein electrophoresis especially in comparison to other related investigations like serum protein estimation and albumin: globulin [A: G] ratio etc. Deluxe electrophoresis chamber and sample applicator were used. Gelman DCD-16 digital computing densitometer was used for quantification. Results revealed that protein electrophoresis was essential for diseases like paraproteinaemia, immunodeficiencies and a-antitrypsin deficiency. It is helpful along with other investigations in liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, collagen disease and malignancy. Three hundred and sixty five cases had subacute/ chronic infection, 340 had normal electrophoretic pattern, 250 cases were of congestive cardiac failure, 152 cases of nephrotic syndrome, 90 cases of hepatic cirrhosis, 53 cases of chronic renal failure and 25 cases of paraproteinaemia were identified Its sensitivity and specificity were more than serum protein estimation by dye methods. It is recommended that full use of this diagnostic technique should be made for better diagnostic sensitivity and specificity