Reactivity of D-dimer assays with the fibrinogen--fibrin split products generated by thrombolytic agents.

The reactivity of two D-dimer assays (a latex agglutination method, D-Di test and an ELISA procedure, Asserachrom D-Di) to the various fibrin or fibrinogen degradation products generated in plasma by three different thrombolytic agents was analysed, in the presence or absence of a fibrin clot. Other assays performed in parallel were an ELISA assay for (DD)E complexes and the conventional fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) latex test on serum. The thrombolytic agents urokinase, streptokinase or tPA were added at various concentrations and incubated for different times ranging from 10 min to 24 h.

Monoclonal antibodies to different neo-epitopes on fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products.

The measurement of fibrin or fibrinogen degradation products is widely used in clinical practice for the diagnosis and follow up of coagulolytic disturbances. Recently D-dimer assays have become very popular owing to their direct application to plasma. However, in some clinical situations there is a need to differentiate fibrin from fibrinogen degradation products.

Measurement of tPA and tPA-PAI-1 complexes by ELISA, using monoclonal antibodies: clinical relevance.

Two ELISA methods using monoclonal antibodies, are described for the measurement of tPA:Ag and tPA-PAI-1 complexes. On normal population tPA:Ag was found with a mean value of 5 ng/ml. Furthermore, despite that tPA activity was very low, only 50% (mean value) was measured as stable complexes with PAI-1.