Comparison of an HPLC method with a RIA, EMIT and FIA method for the assay of serum gentamicin with extensive statistical evaluation.

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay, a radioimmunoassay (RIA), an enzyme immunoassay (EMIT) and a fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) method for assaying serum gentamicin were compared in terms of accuracy and precision. Spiked human serum samples in the range of 0-11.6 mg.1(-1) gentamicin were used in all the tests. Regression analysis and analysis of variance were performed. The Performance Index (PI) was used to qualify the different methods. Other aspects of performance were also compared: simplicity, speed, cost, application in relation to workload. After extensive statistical evaluation the FIA method gives the best results.