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Blood biochemistry: total protein
Synonym(s): TP
Overview
- Contains albumin and globulin fractions.
- Globulin fraction = alpha, beta and gamma subfractions.
- Absolute changes in albumin and globulin associated with wide range of clinical conditions.
- Electrophoresis: separation of globulin sub-fractions provides further information.
Uses
In combination
- As part of routine biochemical screening panel Blood biochemistry: overview.
- Assessing fluid balance:
- Dehydration.
- Shock Shock.
- Hypovolemia.
- Assessing nutritional status of animal:
- Excessive protein loss: renal Nephrotic syndrome and gastrointestinal Protein-losing enteropathy.
- Severe malnutrition.
- Protein malabsorption syndrome.
- Evaluation of hepatic function.
- Chronic liver disease Liver: chronic disease - overview.
- Assessing immune response.
- Plasma cell myeloma Skin: plasmacytoma, B-cell leukemia Leukemia.
- Parvovirus infection Parvovirus disease associated with CPV-2.
Sampling
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Tests
Methodologies
- Biuret: standard method (colorimetric).
- Calibrated refractometer: for rapid result.
- Temperature-controlled instrument recommended.
- Electrophoresis Serum protein electrophoresis : followed by scanning with densitometer to quantify individual globulin subfractions.
Availability
- Biuret: widely available.
- Refractometer: widely available.
- Electrophoresis: commercial laboratories.
Validity
Sensitivity
- Biuret: accurate except at low levels (<10 g/l).
- Refractometer: generally satisfactory for clinical purposes not sensitive enough to detect low levels of protein found in body fluids other than serum.
Specificity
- Biuret method highly specific for protein.
Technique intrinsic limitations
- Usually must be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings to reach a diagnosis.
Technician extrinsic limitations
- Electrophoresis.
- Biuret: hemolysis and/or lipemia may result in increased total protein.
- Refractometer: usually slight to moderate hemolysis or icterus will not interfere with reading. Turbidity of lipemia interferes with light transmission and ability to obtain an accurate reading.
Result Data
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Further Reading
Publications
Referred papers
- Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Ettinger S J, Feldman E C, Cote E (2017) Eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 8th edn. Elsevier, USA.
- Stockham S L & Scott M A (2002) Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Iowa State Press, USA.
- Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Brass M L (1997) Eds. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Academic Press, USA.
- Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa University Press, USA.