Objective: To explore the application of collagen-binding assay for von Willebrand disease (vWD).
Methods: We investigated the sensitivity and reproducibility of collagen-binding assays (CBA) of vWF using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and compared CBA with 3 other assays for their ability to detect vWD.
Results: It was found that the vWF: CBA level of plasma from patients with different types of vWD is lower than that from healthy donors, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders (P < 0.001). In general, the four assays have the capability to identify vWD from normal and other bleeding disorders, and can be used for diagnosing vWD. The concordance rates of the four assays on vWD are vWF: Ag 85.7%, vWF: Rcof 76.2%, RIPA 80.9%, vWF: CBA 95.2% respectively.
Conclusion: vWF: CBA measured by ELISA is highly sensitive, specific and reproducible, and easy to operate. The measurement of the functional activity of vWF by vWF: Rcof or RIPA can be replaced by the more reliable vWF: CBA.