[Serum lysozyme level in children with acute leukemia and malignant diseases]

Serum lysozyme activity was measured in samples from 65 children with acute lymphatic and myelogenous leukemia, solid tumors and malignant lymphoma in comparison with 45 healthy children. All children with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) had significantly reduced levels of lysozyme before starting therapy compared with a control group (p less than 0,01). Children with ALL in complete remission had lysozyme levels comparable to normal children, while children with ALL in relapse showed pathological low levels again. Children with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), solid tumors and malignant lymphomas had higher lysozyme concentration before therapy than healthy children. Determination of lysozyme activity in children with acute leukemia and malignant tumors is of value for diagnosis and to control the effect of therapy.