Serum sialic acid has been assayed enzymatically. The reaction includes neuraminidase hydrolysis of glycoprotein, cleavage of sialic acid to pyruvate by N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA)-aldolase, oxidation of pyruvate by pyruvate oxidase which produces hydrogen peroxide, and colorimetry of hydrogen peroxide using the peroxidase-p-chlorophenol-4-amino-antipyrine method. This method showed good correlation between a chemical method (r = 0.984), good recovery (98.8%) and good reproducibility (within-run-precision: 1.0% C.V.; day-to-day precision: 1.9% C.V). Intrinsic serum pyruvate produces an equimolar positive effect. The normal value range is 1.94 +/- 0.29 mmol/l (mean +/- S.D.,n = 24).

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1980

High plasma, erythrocyte, lymphocyte and granulocyte zinc concentrations in a patient with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Zinc determinations were made in a 5 month-old female with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Zinc concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes from the patient were significantly higher than those in healthy children of a similar age, and were higher than--or equal to--those of healthy adults. Lymphocyte zinc levels in the parents were significantly lower than those of healthy adults. Although the cause of the high zinc concentrations in these samples cannot be fully explained , abnormally high zinc levels may be partially responsible for impairment of some leukocyte functions in patients with CHS since zinc plays a central role in cellular metabolism.

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome↗

PubMed1980

Changes in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in a patient with copper deficiency.

In a patient with typical copper deficiency, we found superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1.15.1.1) activity and copper in erythrocytes to be decreased to 52% and 46% of age-matched controls, respectively. However, these were not so markedly depleted as plasma copper (17%) or ceruloplasmin (20%). After copper replacement therapy, erythrocyte copper and SOD activity gradually returned to the control levels. Although certain abnormalities reported in copper deficiency in animals were expected, osmotic fragility of the liver and heart were not a feature as far as could be determined by electrocardiography and routine laboratory examinations. Probably a decrease of SOD to this extent is not severe enough to lead to superoxide-induced damage.

Ceruloplasmin↗

PubMed1980

Nutritional copper deficiency in a Japanese infant on formula.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Agranulocytosis↗

PubMed1980

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in Fanconi's anaemia.

1. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was determined in 46 adults, 10 paediatric patients without anaemia and 11 paediatric patients with several types of anaemia. No difference was found in superoxide dismutase activity between adults and normal children. 2. The use of multiple parameters appeared to be important for the evaluation of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity. 3. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in three cases of typical Fanconi's anaemia was markedly depressed, when expressed either per mg of haemoglobin or per number of cells, and its aetiological significance is discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

Vaccine-associated poliomyelitis in an infant with agammaglobulinemia.

We describe a female infant with agammaglobulinemia who contracted vaccine-associated poliomyelitis. Poliovirus type 2 was isolated from the initial stool specimen. In our patient, temporary changes in the cerebrospinal fluid resembled those in patients without immunodeficiencies, although gammaglobulin therapy had not yet been started. Pleocytosis was observed for a short time after viremia, but soon there was a return to normal without antibody production.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

PubMed1980

Visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis.

Two brothers with visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis were diagnosed after they had been investigated for an eosinophilia. Both patients were almost asymptomatic. The diagnosis of visceral larva migrans was based on the results of immunoelectrophoretic studies and no liver biopsy was performed. After administration of thiabendazole, the number of eosinophils and serum total IgE levels gradually decreased, and the patients have remained well.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Zinc metabolism in thyroid disease.

This study was designed to evaluate the zinc metabolism in adults of both sexes with thyroid disease. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentration and urinary zinc excretion were investigated. The mean concentration of plasma zinc in hypothyroid patients and in euthyroid patients, previously either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, was lower than that of control subjects, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed in plasma zinc values between hyperthyroid patients and control subjects. The average erythrocyte zinc level in patients with thyroid disease was significantly lower than that in control subjects. Erythrocyte zinc concentration was significantly decreased in hyperthyroidism compared with hypothyroidism, or patients previously either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid but now euthyroid. Increased urinary zinc excretion in hyperthyroidism was noticed compared to euthyroid and hypothyroid patients and to control subjects. Increased urinary zinc concentrations may result from increased tissue catabolism such as muscle. The results of this study suggest that abnormal zinc metabolism occurs commonly in patients with thyroid disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980