Lysozyme and its presence in bovine milk and serum

The literature on the presence of lysozyme in various biological fluids in physiological and pathological conditions is reviewed. Preliminary results of lysozyme estimations in bovine milk show that lysozyme levels are definitely higher in colostrum and mastitis milk than in normal milk. The biological role of the enzyme in the milk still has to be defined. On the other hand, lysozyme may interfere with microbiological screening techniques for penicillin in cow's milk; the lytic effect of purified human lysozyme on B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis was demonstrated microscopically.