Significance of the LP-X Test in Differential Diagnosis of Jaundice

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Abstract
In recent years it has been well documented that the characteristic increase in plasma lipoproteins in patients with obstructive jaundice is the result of the presence of a low-density lipoprotein (relative density 1.006-1.063 g/ml) of abnormal composition and properties. This abnormal lipoprotein has been designated "LP-X." The development of a simple immunologic test system for determining LP-X provides the basis for a new clinical chemical test that is of use in the differential diagnosis of jaundice. In this study, 2680 LP-X determinations were performed on 1481 subjects: 1309 patients with or without liver disease, and 172 healthy volunteers. Statistical analysis of this series revealed a power of 0.99 and a specifity of 0.98 to demonstrate or exclude cholestasis. In this regard the new test is superior to other blood-chemical assessments. It was never positive in patients without liver disease. However, the LP-X test alone is not adequate to distinguish between intrahepatic cholestasis and extrahepatic biliary obstruction

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