The presence of elevated levels of bilirubin (icterus) in serum or plasma specimens has the potential to interfere with clinical chemistry and other laboratory assays. Along with hemolysis and lipemia, icterus represents one of the most common endogenous interferences with laboratory tests.

Macrovesicular steatosis is commonly seen in alcoholic or nonalcoholic liver disease and steatohepatitis, obesity, diabetes, hepatitis C, protein calorie malnutrition, total parenteral nutrition and drugs like corticosteroids.

Along with hemolysis and lipemia, icterus represents one of the most common endogenous interferences with laboratory tests. There are two common mechanisms by which icterus can cause assay interference.

The aims of this study were to identify the causes of severe icterus in an academic medical center patient population and to assess the impact of icterus on clinical chemistry testing using assay package insert thresholds.

22.Icterus renis. With increased level of bilirubin was observed in the deposition of the seminiferous epithelium, Henle's loop and more rarely in these legal and collecting tubules of the kidney. In the affected cells are found small greenish-brown grains.