It is important clinically the determination of chloride due regulation of
osmotic pressure of extra cellular fluid and to its significant role in acid-base
balance. Increases in chloride ion concentration may be found in severe
dehydratation, excessive intake of chloride, severe renal tubular damage
and in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Decrease in chloride ion concentration may be found in metabolic acidosis,
loss from prolonged vomiting and chronic pyelonephritis2,7,8.
Clinical diagnosis should not be made on a single test result; it should
integrate clinical and other laboratory data.
STORAGE AND STABILITY
All the components of the kit are stable until the expiration date on the label
when stored tightly closed at 2-8ºC, protected from light and contaminations
prevented during their use.
Do not use reagents over the expiration date.
Signs of reagent deterioration:
- Presence of particles and turbidity.
- Blank absorbance (A) at 480 nm
0,15.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Spectrophotometer or colorimeter measuring at 480 nm.
- Matched cuvettes 1,0 cm light path.
- General laboratory equipment (Note 1, 2, 3).
SAMPLES
- Serum or plasma free of haemolysis and separated from cells as rapidly
as possible. Anticoagulants such as oxalate or EDTA are not acceptable
they will interfere with results.
- Urine1: Collect 24-hour urine specimen in chloride free containers. Dilute
a sample 1/2 in distilled water. Mix. Multiply results by 2 (dilution factor).
Stability of the sample: Ion chloride is stable 1 week at room temperature
(15-25ºC), in refrigerator (2-8ºC) or frozen (-20ºC) temperatures.
REFERENCE VALUES1
Serum or plasma: 95 - 115 mmol/L
Urine: 110 - 250 mmol/24h
These values are for orientation purpose; each laboratory should establish
its own reference range.
QUALITY CONTROL
Control sera are recommended to monitor the performance of assay
procedures: SPINTROL H Normal and Pathologic.
If control values are found outside the defined range, check the instrument,
reagents and calibrator for problems.
Each laboratory should establish its own Quality Control scheme and
corrective actions if controls do not meet the acceptable tolerances.
NOTES
1. It is recommended to use disposable material. If glassware is used the
material should be scrupulously cleaned with H2SO4 - K2Cr2O7 Solution and
then thoroughly rinsed it with distilled water.
2. Most of the detergents and water softening products used in the laboratories
contains chelating agents. A defective rinsing will invalidate the procedure.
3. Avoid the contact with metal materials.
4. Use clean disposable pipette tips for its dispensation.
5. SPINREACT has instruction sheets for several automatic analyzers.
Instructions for many of them are available on request.
