Question:

Bilirubin in serum can be measured by which of the following?

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The serum assay uses diazotized sulfanilic acid.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Van den Bergh reaction
  • Ehrlich's reaction
  • Schlesinger's reaction
  • Fouchet's reaction
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Serum bilirubin is measured by the van den Bergh reaction, so option (a) is correct.
Step 2: In this reaction, diazotized sulfanilic acid reacts with bilirubin to form colored azodipyrroles measured colorimetrically. Water-soluble conjugated bilirubin reacts fast in aqueous solution, giving the direct-reacting fraction within one minute. Adding methanol (an accelerator) dissolves the unconjugated bilirubin too, giving total bilirubin. Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin is total minus direct.
Step 3: Distinguishing the others: Ehrlich's reaction (with Ehrlich's aldehyde) detects urobilinogen in urine. Schlesinger's test detects urobilin in urine. Fouchet's test detects bilirubin in urine, not serum.
Note: In normal plasma only about 4 percent of total bilirubin is conjugated, since most is secreted into bile.
Ref: Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Biochemistry, 5e, p 285.
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