Comparative Evaluation of Two NGAL Automated Immunoassays in Urine and Plasma.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI), a frequent and serious complication of hospitalized patients, is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker for the early identification of AKI. We report a comparative laboratory verification of the Abbott Diagnostics (ARCHITECT® urine NGAL) and BioPorto Diagnostics (NGAL TestTM) assays including an assessment of the Abbott assay's performance in EDTA plasma.

kEDTA Sample Contamination: A Reappraisal.

Background: Potassium EDTA (kEDTA) contamination of serum samples is common, causing spurious hyperkalemia, hypozincemia, and hypocalcemia that if unrecognized may adversely affect patient care. Gross kEDTA contamination is easy to detect, but identification of spurious electrolytes due to small amounts of contamination requires measurement of serum EDTA. We validated an EDTA assay on the Abbott Architect and reassessed its value in identifying kEDTA contamination and in studying mechanisms for contamination.