[Significance of LDH isozyme pattern in rubella]

The laboratory data from 136 patients suffering from a mass outbreak of rubella were serially examined. Alteration of thrombocytopenia (38.7%), leukopenia (26.4%), increased LDH (94.3%), and increased GOT (32.4%) were observed during the early days of disease. Slightly later, increased GPT was noted in 48.5%. LDH isozymes may be grouped into two specific patterns: 1) an LDH3 dominant pattern appeared (90.4%) during the beginning days of the disease. 2) an LDH3 dominant pattern with LDH5 greater than LDH4 was detected one week later. It was concluded that the increase of LDH3 may have been induced by thrombocytopenia due to viral infection. The increase of LDH5 appears to result from liver damage. In conclusion, LDH isozyme findings are significant in the early diagnosis of liver damage in rubella.