Measurement of serum Lp(a) by COBAS MIRA using a latex immunoturbidimetric assay kit

We had an opportunity to test a reagent kit for serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] assay, which was based on the latex immunoturbidimetric assay method, and applied it to COBAS MIRA (Roche). Reproducibility of the assay procedure was 0.92-4.0% CV of three samples which contained 12.58-60.4 mg/dl of Lp(a). Minimum detectable concentration was 1.5-2.0 mg/dl. It was confirmed that interference of co-existing substances, i.e. hemoglobin, bilirubin, and intralipid, was negligible. No cross reactivity was seen with plasminogen. Correlation with a ELISA method was excellent. Frequency distribution of Lp(a) in healthy Japanese was similar to that found in white population.