Proteins

Albumin (ALB)

• Albumin is the most important binding and transport protein of the organism
• Albumin measurements are made for monitoring patients with acute liver diseases, for suspected liver cirrhosis and monitoring patients with this disease, diagnosis of edematous status, prognosis of elderly, hospitalized patients.

anti-Streptolysin-O (ASL, ASO)

• Anti-streptolysin-O are specific antibodies to streptolysin O, formed by an extracellular enzyme of group A ß-hemolytic streptococci. Streptococci are responsible for a variety of infections, including acute pharyngitis and other manifestations as glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, bacterial endocarditis and scarlet fever.

Apolipoprotein A1 (APO A1)

• APO A1 measurements are frequently used in characterizing patients with genetic disorders that lead to low HDL cholesterol concentrations. Over the past several decades, decreased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) have been associated with increased risk of coronary vascular disease.

Apolipoprotein B (APO B)

• Elevated levels of APO B are frequently found in atherosclerotic vascular changes and are a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Over the past several decades, decreased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) have been associated with increased risk of coronary vascular disease.

Complement C3 (C3c)

• Complement C3 (C3c) is the central point of the classic and alternative complement pathway. C3c is a constituent of C5 convertase. On activation split products of C3c have important biological functions. C3b is an opsonin and involved in immune adherence, C3a is an anaphylatoxin and a chemotoxin. C3c behaves also like an acute phase protein, therefore increased levels may be found in acute inflammatory reactions. Decreased levels are reported in complex diseases, recurrent immune infections with pyrogenic bacteria, various glomerulonephritides and in congenital deficiencies.

Complement C4 (C4)

• Complement C4 (C4) is a constituent of C3 convertase and C5 convertase. Measurements of complement proteins aid in the diagnosis of immunologic disorders, especially those associated with deficiencies of complement components. Decreased levels are found in hereditary angioedema, immune complex diseases and congenital deficiencies.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein which is synthesised in the liver. Inflammatory processes, bacterial infections, polytrauma, myocardial infarction and certain other diseases are accompanied by a significant increase of the CRP concentration. Following surgery the CRP concentration will also be elevated. It has been shown that persistently increased CRP levels may indicate a bad prognosis for the patients outcome. Therefore monitoring of the CRP concentration can be helpful to initiate necessary treatment in time.

Ferritin (FER)

• Ferritin is the main iron storage protein in the body. Ferritin is found at low concentrations in serum and is directly proportional to the body’s iron store. In general, variations in total body iron stores are reflected in the ferritin level in serum. Measurement of ferritin may aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and hemochromatosis (iron overload).

Glycohemoglobin HbA1 (HbA1c, HbA1)

• The determination of HbA1c is performed for the long term control in diabetes mellitus. HbA1c values provide an indication of the average glucose levels over the preceding 4-8 weeks. A high HbA1c value indicates poor glycemic control. Long term therapy of the disease requires control of blood glucose levels to prevent the acute complications of ketosis and hyperglycemia. In addition, preventing effective control of blood glucose levels can minimize long term complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease.