BILIRUBIN, 245 mL

For in vitro determination of direct and total Bilirubin in serum or plasma.

PRINCIPLE

Total bilirubin is determined by reaction with diazotized sulfanilic acid, in the presence of caffeine, with the fi nal production of an azopigment. The same reaction, but in the absence of caffeine, is used to measure direct bilirubin.

DIAGNOSTIC USE

Bilirubin is a metabolic hemoglobin product which is transported to the liver, where it is conjugated with glucuronic acid, and it is excreted through bile. This “conjugated” bilirubin is called direct bilirubin, while unconjugated bilirubin is called indirect bilirubin. The total serum bilirubin is direct bilirubin plus indirect bilirubin. Direct bilirubin increases in biliary obstruction, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. High level of indirect or total bilirubin may indicate hemolytic diseases, physiological neonatal jaundice, Gilbert’s disease or fructose intolerance. A single test result could not be used to make a clinical diagnosis. It should integrate clinical and laboratory data.

Technical Inserts