Which statement regarding IFE is true?

When performing immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), it is crucial to concentrate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, typically by a factor of 50 to 100, to enhance the visibility of any immunoglobulin bands present. This concentration process increases the sensitivity of the IFE, making it easier to detect abnormal protein levels associated with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. The concentration also helps to reduce the volume of the sample being analyzed, which can improve the resolution of the bands and the overall quality of the results.

It is important to understand the context of this choice regarding the other statements. For instance, the κ:λ ratio of 0.5 mentioned in one of the options is characteristic of some conditions but does not universally apply to all cases of monoclonal protein presence. The visibility of monoclonal bands in relation to the type of antiserum used is more complex, as certain bands may indeed be masked depending on how the antibodies interact with the proteins in the sample. Regarding oligoclonal bands, they do not necessarily need to be present in serum samples to suggest multiple sclerosis; the detection of these bands can be significant in CSF alone. Thus, concentrating CSF samples before I