Evaluation of patients with cyanosis
Confirming cases of suspected cytochrome b5 reductase (methemoglobin reductase) deficiency
Functional studies in families with cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency
Kinetic Spectrophotometry (KS)
Cytochrome b5 Reductase
Diaphorase
Ferrihemoglobin Reductase
Methemoglobin Reductase
Methemoglobin Diaphorase (Methemoglobin Reductase)
Whole Blood ACD-B
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Yellow top (ACD)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 6 mL
Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request (T755) with the specimen
1 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Blood ACD-B | Refrigerated | 18 days |
Evaluation of patients with cyanosis
Confirming cases of suspected cytochrome b5 reductase (methemoglobin reductase) deficiency
Functional studies in families with cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency
Cytochrome b5 reductase (CYB5R), also called methemoglobin reductase, is the enzyme within the erythrocyte that maintains hemoglobin in the reduced (non-methemoglobin) state. A deficiency of CYB5R in erythrocytes is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from variants in the CYB5R3 or the CYB5A genes.
Persons who are heterozygous for CYB5R genetic variants have no clinical or laboratory abnormalities, are not cyanotic, and have normal methemoglobin concentrations in their blood. However, they hold an increased risk for more severely symptomatic acute episodes of methemoglobinemia with exposure to inducing agents.
Persons who are homozygous for CYB5R genetic variants have normal arterial oxygen saturation but have varying quantities of methemoglobin in their blood, generally 15% to 20%, and are quite cyanotic. Paradoxically, homozygous individuals typically have normal blood counts; the condition only rarely causes polycythemia. The presence of methemoglobin shifts the hemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve to the right, so although the transport of oxygen is diminished, the delivery of oxygen to tissues is normal. Because of the chronicity, the homozygous condition is usually compensated and, therefore, quite benign, but it may cause concern to parents of affected children, be a cosmetic embarrassment to the children, and alarm the attending physician. The cyanosis may be treated with methylene blue.
> or =12 months of age: 7.8-13.1 U/g Hb
Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 12 months.
Cytochrome b5 reductase (methemoglobin reductase) activity in neonates (0-6 weeks of age) is normally 60% of the normal adult value. Adult values are attained by 2 to 3 months of age.
Heterozygotes have results slightly lower than the reference range. Homozygotes demonstrate little to no cytochrome b5 reductase activity and increased levels of methemoglobin.
Individuals who are glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient are not candidates for methylene blue therapy. Administration of methylene blue to such persons will cause hemolysis or methemoglobin formation.
1. Agarwal AM, Prchal JT. Methemoglobinemia and other dyshemoglobinemias. In: Kaushansky K, Lichtman MA, Prchal JT, et al, eds. Williams Hematology. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2016:789-800
2. Percy MJ, Barnes C, Crighton G, et al. Methemoglobin reductase deficiency: Novel mutation is associated with a disease phenotype of intermediate severity. J Pediatr Haematol Oncol. 2012;34:457-460
Cytochrome b5 reductase (methemoglobin reductase) catalyzes the 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-linked reduction of several substrates, including ferricyanide. The activity at 37 degrees C is measured spectrophotometrically by measuring the oxidation of NADH to NAD(+) at 340 nm on an automated chemistry analyzer.(Fairbanks VF, Klee GG. Biochemical aspects of hematology. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 3rd ed. WB Saunders Company. 1999:1647-1648; van Solinge WW, van Wijk. Enzymes of the red blood cell. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT. eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:chap 30)
Performed weekly
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
82657
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
METR1 | Cytochrome b5 Reductase, B | 32703-1 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
METRB | Cytochrome b5 Reductase, B | 32703-1 |