[Determination of the phenotype of N-acetyltransferase activity]

The authors suggest a simple easily reproducible micromethod for determination of genetically determined activity of N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5) and acetylator phenotype. The method consists in oral intake of sulfadimezine as an acetylation substrate, followed by measurement of the enzyme activity from the degree of sulfadimezine acetylation in blood or urine samples. Examinations of 121 children with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) and 36 healthy children have shown that children with a slow acetylation type are more liable to ARVI. This was confirmed by the fact that complicated ARVI forms in young children occurred as a rule only in 'slow acetylators', mostly in children with the lowest N-acetyltransferase activity.