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 505 nm
0,15.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Autoanalyzer Spintech 240.
- 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.
Conversion factor: mmol/L= mEq/L.
QUALITY CONTROL
Control sera and calibrators are recommended to monitor the performance
of assay procedures: SPINTROL H Calibrator, SPINTROL H Normal and
Pathologic.
If control values are found outside the defined range, check the instrument,
reagents and technique for problems.
Each laboratory should establish its own Quality Control scheme and
corrective actions if controls do not meet the acceptable tolerances.
