Patent ID: 6451550
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An assay for determining a level of haptoglobin in a sample, wherein the assay comprises the steps of:a) forming a reaction mixture comprising the sample to be treated, haemoglobin and at least one reagent for reducing a peroxidase effect due to any albumin and/or any other protein(s) present in the sample other than albumin, wherein the at least one reagent for reducing a peroxidase effect is selected from the group consisting of a) a reducing agent effective against disulphide bonds; (b) a protein binding inhibitor, c) a chaotropic agent, and d) combinations thereof; b) allowing the sample, haemoglobin and said at least one reagent to react, so as to allow formation of an haptoglobin/haemoglobin complex; c) determining a level of peroxidase activity of said haptoglobin/haemoglobin complex, wherein the determination is carried out at an acidic pH sufficient to significantly reduce or substantially inactivate any peroxidase activity of uncomplexed haemoglobin; and d) correlating the level of peroxidase activity with the level of haptoglobin in the sample.