Cryoglobulins Diagnostics

Preanalytics

The most important thing in the clarification of cryoglobulinemia is the pre-analysis. Serum is used for the determination of cryoglobulinemia and must be collected in pre-warmed tubes. Coagulation must also take place at 37-39°C. Otherwise the cryoglobulins precipitate with the clot and are no longer detectable. Since cryoglobulins only occur in small quantities, a lot of material is needed to carry out the analysis. We no longer carry out the analysis of cryofibrinogen.

CAVE: Complexes of cryoglobulins can lead to incorrectly high values for leukocytes and thrombocytes when measured in hematology devices.

Sending in the samples

• Internal USZ senders should request a thermal transport box by telephone on 51204
• External senders can allow the blood to coagulate at 37-39°C after collection. An incubator is suitable for this. The blood must then be centrifuged warm. After pipetting the serum, no further special measures are necessary. The samples can be sent by post without any problems. Please send us at least 6 ml of serum.
• Blood collection at the USZ: External doctors can also register their patients for blood collection at the Department of Immunology on 044 255 48 22. Patients are then given an appointment and we take care of the correct pre-analysis.