Immunoluminometric assay (ILMA) for the quantitative determination of Procalcitonin (PCT) in human serum and plasma
Assay characteristics
- One-step immunoluminescence assay using coated tube systemwith two monoclonal antibodies (sandwich principle)
- Sample matrix: Serum or plasma
- Sample volume: 20 μL
- Incubation time: 1 hour at room temperature (18-25 °C)
- Measuring range: 0.1-500 μg/L
- Functional assay sensitivity: 0.3 μg/L
- High-dose hook: No high-dose hook effect detectable up to 900 μg/L
Assay procedure
- Pipette 20 μL sample plus 250 μL tracer into the coated tube
- Incubate for 1 hour at room temperature (18-25 °C)
- Remove excess tracer by thorough washing and subsequently remove the remaining liquid (put tube upside down on filter paper for 5-10 min)
- Measure luminescence for 1 sec in a luminometer
- Calculate results from the standard curve
Reproducibility
The inter-assay precision in the clinically relevant range is between 6 and 10% CV. The functional assay sensitivity, defined as the smallest value with an inter-assay precision of 20% CV, is 0.3 μg/L.