Factor VIII inhibitor (Nijmegen-Bethesda)
Description:
FVIII inhibitors are progressive so dilutions of test plasma (i.e. reducing concentrations of inhibitor) are incubated for 2 hours at 37°C in the presence of a fixed amount of exogenous FVIII in the Bethesda assay. One unit of inhibitor is defined as the amount of inhibitor that will neutralise 50% of a normal plasma containing 100% FVIII after the 2 hour incubation. The amount of residual FVIII in each tube is used to calculate the inhibitor level.
Our laboratories employ a modified Nijmegen-Bethesda assay which uses buffered normal plasma and dilutions in 4% BSA to reduce pH drift and maintain constant protein concentration, that can otherwise falsely suggest the presence of a weak inhibitor.
Our laboratories employ a modified Nijmegen-Bethesda assay which uses buffered normal plasma and dilutions in 4% BSA to reduce pH drift and maintain constant protein concentration, that can otherwise falsely suggest the presence of a weak inhibitor.
Clinical details:
Acquired inhibitors to FVIII are antibodies that arise in 10-15% of patients with hereditary haemophilia A as a result of recognising therapeutic FVIII products as 'foreign' protein, or in patients with previously normal haemostasis as part of an autoimmune process. Inhibitors in congenital haemophiliacs complicate treatment as the infused FVIII has a shorter survival time, and patients with acquired haemophilia can present with severe bleeding.
Reference range:
Not detected
Units:
NBU/ml
Department:
Location:
Sample type and Volume required:
External requests: Citrated platelet poor plasma
1mL x 1 aliquot
Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
1mL x 1 aliquot
Internal requests: please refer to EPR label
Turnaround time:
7 - 10 days
Special sample instructions:
"The sample should be analysed or manipulated & stored in the laboratory within 4 hours of venepuncture. Please ensure sample tubes are filled exactly to the fill-line as underfilling creates a dilution error and leads to inaccurate results."
Contacts:
Diagnostic Haemostasis and Thrombosis Department
St Thomas': 020 7188 2797; Guy's: 020 7188 7188 ext. 53860
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Laboratory opening times
24/7
Guy's Hospital
Southwark Wing - 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist
North Wing - 4th and 5th Floors
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Laboratory opening times
24/7
Guy's Hospital
Southwark Wing - 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Outside core hours, contact Duty Haemostasis Biomedical Scientist
Last updated: 08/03/2017
