Diagnostic value of serum and urinary lysozyme estimation in malignant hemopathies

Serum and urinary lysozyme were assessed in 138 patients with malignant hemopathies, of whom 71 with acute leukemias. Serum lysozyme values were found increased in acute myelocytic or monocytic leukemias and normal in lymphocytic leukemias and lymphomas. Serum lysozyme estimation is of value in the diagnosis of acute leukemias which cannot be differentiated by morphologic, cytochemical and cytoenzymatic methods. Renal insufficiency associated with malignant hemopathies is in itself a cause of rise of both the serum and urinary lysozyme values.