Bisalbuminemia: A Rare Finding Identified via Serum Protein Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and Capillary Electrophoresis Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Bisalbuminemia is a rare abnormality characterized by detection of two distinct albumin bands or double peaks through serum protein agarose gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis, suggesting the coexistence of normal and modified albumin in the same patient. However, it is challenging to visualize the double bands due to the limited resolution of agarose gel electrophoresis. Besides, capillary electrophoresis cannot directly visualize serum proteins. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from the Hematology Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis. Agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis were performed using a SPIFE4000 electrophoresis apparatus from Helena or Capillarys3 Tera system. RESULTS: Three samples of bisalbumin were detected in the albumin region in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma via agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis techniques. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that capillary electrophoresis technology combined with traditional agarose gel electrophoresis methods can significantly improve the detection rate of bisalbuminemia. Serum dilution or depolymerization may be utilized to enhance detection when bisalbumin bands are not readily identifiable in agarose gel electrophoresis, thereby ensuring the accuracy of bisalbuminemia diagnosis.