False negativity to carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and drugs: a clinical case |
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| Authors: | Matteo Vidali Vincenza Bianchi Marco Bagnati Nadia Atzeni Andrea Marco Bianchi Giorgio Bellomo |
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| Institution: | 1.Department of Health Sciences, University “Amedeo Avogadro” of East Piedmont, and Clinical Chemistry Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy;2.Toxicology Laboratory, Deaprtment of Clinical Pathology, SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo Hospital, Alessandria, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Introduction:In this work we report on the possible effect of the medical therapy on CDT concentration in a chronic alcohol abuser, with known medical history (July 2007 – April 2012) and alcohol abuse confirmed by relatives.Case history:At the end of 2007, patient displayed the following laboratory results: AST 137 U/L, ALT 120 U/L, GGT 434 U/L, MCV 101 fL and CDT 3.3%. On December 2007, after double coronary artery bypass surgery, he began a pharmacological treatment with amlodipine, perindopril, atorvastatin, isosorbide mononitrate, carvedilol, ticlopidine and pantoprazole. In the next months, until may 2011, the patient resumed alcohol abuse, as confirmed by relatives; however, CDT values were repeatedly found negative (0.8% and 1.1%) despite elevated transaminases and GGT, concurrent elevated ethyl glucuronide concentration (> 50 mg/L) and blood alcohol concentration (> 1 g/L). Alcohol consumption still continued despite increasing disulfiram doses ordered by an Alcohol Rehab Center. On May 2011, the patient was transferred to a private medical center where he currently lives.Conclusions:This study suggests the possibility that a medical therapy including different drugs may hamper the identification of chronic alcohol abusers by CDT. |
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| Keywords: | carbohydrate-deficient transferrin alcoholism drug therapy combination false negative reactions |
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