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Test ID: PSAFT    
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Total and Free, Serum

Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA):

Instrument used is Roche Cobas 6000 e601. The Roche Elecsys Total PSA method is a sandwich electrochemiluminescent immunoassay that employs a biotinylated monoclonal PSA-specific antibody and a monoclonal PSA-specific antibody labeled with ruthenium complex. PSA in the specimen reacts with both the biotinylated monoclonal PSA-specific antibody (mouse) and the monoclonal PSA-specific antibody (mouse) labeled with a ruthenium, forming a sandwich complex. Streptavidin-coated microparticles are added and the mixture is aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode. Unbound substances are then removed with ProCell. Application of voltage to the electrode induces the chemiluminescent emission, which is then measured against a calibration curve to determine the amount of PSA in the patient specimen. This method has been standardized against the Reference Standard/WHO 96/670.(Package insert: Roche total PSA reagent, 07-2010. Roche Diagnostic Corp., Indianapolis, IN)

 

Free PSA:

Instrument used is Roche Cobas 6000 e601. The Roche Elecsys Free PSA method is a sandwich electrochemiluminescent immunoassay that employs a biotinylated monoclonal PSA-specific antibody and a monoclonal PSA-specific antibody labeled with ruthenium complex. Free PSA in the specimen reacts with both the biotinylated monoclonal PSA-specific antibody (mouse) and the monoclonal PSA-specific antibody (mouse) labeled with a ruthenium, forming a sandwich complex. Streptavidin-coated microparticles are added and the mixture is aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode. Unbound substances are then removed with ProCell. Application of voltage to the electrode induces the chemiluminescent emission, which is then measured against a calibration curve to determine the amount of free PSA in the patient specimen. This method has been standardized against the Reference Standard/WHO 96/668.(Package insert: Roche free PSA reagent, (2012-2 V5). Roche Diagnostic Corp., Indianapolis, IN)

 

The free PSA concentration is divided by the total PSA to derive the free:total ratio. The PSA, total and free test provides a free PSA measurement on every specimen, however, because very high or low total PSA measurements are predictive in themselves, a ratio is provided only when the total PSA is in the range of 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL.

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.

Monday through Friday; 5 a.m.-12 a.m., Saturday; 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.

1 day

Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result

3 days

Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 months

Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester