A NEW APPROACH FOR DIAGNOSIS OF WILSON’S DISEASE AND BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE

S. B. Quraishi, T. R. Choudhury, A.K. M. Atique Ullah, A. Maksud, S. R. Khan and L. Nahar

Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is an essential element for the human body. But Wilson’s disease is primarily caused by an accumulation of copper in tissues all over the body mainly in the liver, brain, kidneys and cornea. There is no reliable test for Wilson's disease, but levels of ceruloplasmin and copper in the blood, 24-hour urinary Cu estimation, KF ring test are together used to confirm the disease. Till now 24 hour urinary copper test is one of the easiest tests to diagnosis the Wilson’s disease as well as for monitoring of the patient during treatment. As urine copper is elevated in Wilson's disease, therefore urine is collected for 24 hours in a copper-free bottle and measured for Cu content. Levels above 100 μg/24h (1.6 μmol/24h) confirm Wilson's disease, and levels above 40 μg/24h (0.6 μmol/24h) are strongly indicative which needs further investigation. In the present study, a fast-track diagnosis technique has been established for diagnosis of Wilson’s disease using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) technique. The proposed test method has been found simple, faster and accurate than the existing 24h urinary copper estimation. Advantages of the proposed test method have been confirmed by studying on 40 (forty) cases in Bangladesh. Cases have been selected considering age, urinary copper level and total urine volume etc. The detail findings on the present study will be presented in the technical session during conference.

Keywords: Wilson's Disease, Diagnosis, Urinary Copper, AAS technique.