Factor XIII
Last updated: Monday, 06, August, 2007
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 4.5 mL blood added to 0.5 mL citrate. |
| Method | Clot solubility test. |
| Reference Interval | Qualitative test which detects major deficiencies of Factor XIII. |
| Application | Investigation of patients with a personal and/or family history suggestive of an inherited bleeding disorder. Factor XIII (fibrin stabilising factor) deficiency is rare. |
| Interpretation | In the presence of factor XIII, fibrin is stabilised by transglutaminase-mediated peptide bonds and the clot is insoluble in eg, strong urea. In patients with factor XIII deficiency, cross-linking of fibrin is deficient and the clot dissolves. The sensitivity of this test is low - consult pathologist. |
| Reference | Dacie JV and Lewis SM. Practical Haematology. 8th ed. Churchill Livingstone 1995. |