What Is a Immunoelectrophoresis Test

Serum immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as antibodies, which fight infection. There are many types of immunoglobulins that fight different types of infections.

What can immunoelectrophoresis diagnose?

• Multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenström macroglobulinemia (types of white blood cell cancers)
• Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in tissues and organs)
• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue)
• Kidney failure.
• Infection.

How is immunoelectrophoresis performed?

Immunoelectrophoresis refers to precipitation in agar under an electric field. It is a process of a combination of immuno-diffusion and electrophoresis. … The antibodies diffuse laterally to meet diffusing antigens, and lattice formation and precipitation occur permitting determination of the nature of the antigens.