RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Laboratory diagnosis of megaloblastic anaemia: current methods assessed by external quality assurance trials.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 393
OP 397
DO 10.1136/jcp.40.4.393
VO 40
IS 4
A1 D W Dawson
A1 D I Fish
A1 I D Frew
A1 T Roome
A1 I Tilston
YR 1987
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/40/4/393.abstract
AB The results of an Interregional quality assurance scheme for tests in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anaemia were reviewed to assess the methods used. Serum folate assays showed great variation between methods, partly due to limitations in assessment by external quality assurance. Red cell folate assays yielded widely different results and much imprecision due both to the differences in preparation of the haemolysate and to the problems inherent in radioassay of a mixture of folate compounds. Intrinsic factor antibody tests showed appreciable variation in sensitivity. There was considerable inconsistency in the detection of polymorph nuclear hypersegmentation.