Studies of Muramidase (Lysozyme) in Leukemia

Abstract

The muramidase activity of serum, urine, and leukocytes was measured in a group of patients with acute and chronic leukemia. Serum muramidase activity when expressed as an absolute value was significantly higher in the patients with monocytic and myelocytic leukemias. Serum muramidase activity when expressed as a ratio in terms of the total circulating white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly increased in monocytic leukemia. Urinary muramidase activity, although more commonly found in patients with both forms of monocytic leukemia, was also demonstrated in patients with acute and chronic myelocytic leukemia. Leukocyte muramidase activity was elevated in both myelocytic and monocytic leukemia.