冷球蛋白

定义

冷球蛋白 are antibodies that become solid or gel-like at low temperatures in the laboratory. This article describes the blood test used to check for them.

在实验室里, cryoglobulins come out of solution in blood when the blood sample is cooled below 98.6°F (37°C). They dissolve again when the sample is warmed up.

冷球蛋白 come in three main types, but in most cases the cause of having cryoglobulins is 丙型肝炎. The disease in which cryoglobulins are found is called 冷沉球蛋白血症. 冷球蛋白 can cause inflammation in blood vessels, called vasculitis. They may also cause inflammation in the kidney, nerves, joints, lungs and skin.

如何执行测试

Because they are temperature sensitive, cryoglobulins are hard to accurately measure. The blood specimen must be collected in a special way. The test should only be done in laboratories that are equipped for it.

血液从静脉中抽取. A vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand is used in most cases. Blood should NOT be drawn from a catheter that has heparin in it. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. The vial should be warm at room or body temperature, before it is used. Vials that are colder than room temperature before being processed at the laboratory may not give accurate results.

Once the blood has been collected, 针头被取出, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may want to call ahead to ask to have your blood drawn by a lab technician who has experience collecting blood for this test.

考试的感觉如何

Some people feel discomfort when the needle is inserted. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

为什么要进行测试

This test is most often done when a person has symptoms of a condition associated with cryoglobulins. 冷球蛋白 are associated with 冷沉球蛋白血症. They also occur in other conditions that affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and nervous system.

正常的结果

Normally, there are no cryoglobulins.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A positive test may indicate:

• 冷沉球蛋白血症
• Hepatitis (especially 丙型肝炎)
• 传染性单核细胞增多
• 白血病
• 淋巴瘤
• Macroglobulinemia -- primary
• 多发性骨髓瘤
• 类风湿性关节炎
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed includes 肾病综合症.

风险

风险 associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

• 大出血
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

参考文献

De Vita S, Gandolfo S, Quartuccio L. 冷沉球蛋白血症. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. 风湿病学. 8日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 171.

McPherson RA, Riley RS, Massey HD. Laboratory evaluation of immunoglobulin function and humoral immunity. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 47.