Effects of metronidazole (Flagyl) on the determination of serum ASAT on the SMA 12/60 Auto Analyser

Abstract

Therapeutic serum concentrations of metronidazole will lead to under-estimation of ASAT activity when a SMA 12/60 Auto Analyser is used. This interference is due to metronidazole entering the colorimeter through the dialyser membrane in the SMA 12/60 Auto Analyser. This drug is one of the few with a relatively high therapeutic serum concentration, absorbing light in the 340 nm range. Metronidazole will similarity affect other 340 nm methods (LDH, ALAT) available on the SMA 12/60. This interference with metronidazole on the SMA 12/60 can easily be solved by the introduction of a separate serum blank channel for the 340 nm methods.

Key Words:

• ASAT
• Auto Analyser
• drug effect
• metronidazole