False positive hCG testing and upper urinary tract infection.

IF 1.1 Q4 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Pub Date : 2025-03-03 DOI:10.1515/hmbci-2024-0080

Joris R Delanghe, Valerie Pede, Sylvie Mulliez, Hilde Vanpoucke, Marijn M Speeckaert, Danielle Vandenweghe, Kris Gevaert

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assays are commonly used as a pregnancy test. False-positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) values in urine were reported in 15 patients (nine males and six females) presenting with urinary tract infection.

Methods: Extopic hCG production and presence of heterophilic antibodies were excluded as potential causes of interference.

Results: Orbitrap mass spectrometry revealed the presence of uromodulin, an abundant urinary glycoprotein, as the likely cause of the interference. Falsely elevated hCG values correlated well with urinary alpha 1 microglobulin (a tubular protein) concentrations and with the urinary leukocyte count. The false positive hCG signal disappeared after antibiotic administration.

Conclusions: These data suggest that false-positive hCG test results in urine may occur in patients presenting with upper urinary tract infections due to uromodulin interference.

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来源期刊

Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY-

CiteScore

2.60

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation (HMBCI) is dedicated to the provision of basic data on molecular aspects of hormones in physiology and pathophysiology. The journal covers the treatment of major diseases, such as endocrine cancers (breast, prostate, endometrium, ovary), renal and lymphoid carcinoma, hypertension, cardiovascular systems, osteoporosis, hormone deficiency in menopause and andropause, obesity, diabetes, brain and related diseases, metabolic syndrome, sexual dysfunction, fetal and pregnancy diseases, as well as the treatment of dysfunctions and deficiencies. HMBCI covers new data on the different steps and factors involved in the mechanism of hormone action. It will equally examine the relation of hormones with the immune system and its environment, as well as new developments in hormone measurements. HMBCI is a blind peer reviewed journal and publishes in English: Original articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Short Communications, Case Reports, Letters to the Editor and Opinion papers. Ahead-of-print publishing ensures faster processing of fully proof-read, DOI-citable articles.