Lactic dehydrogenase anomaly in a patient with chronic renal failure

A 67-year-old man with chronic renal failure (CRF) was defined to have lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)-immunoglobulin A (IgA) complex, the so-called "LDH anomaly", in his serum and pleural effusion. He was found to have a pleural effusion on the right side during maintenance dialysis at a satellite hospital. A LDH-IgA complex was detected in the serum and pleural effusion by the method of current electrophoresis. The immunoglobulin class was found to be IgA (K) by counter immunoelectrophoresis. LDH anomaly is extremely rare in patients with CRF; the clinical significance of this substance in serum and pleural effusion remains unclarified.