ENZYME LEVELS IN THE SERA AND ERYTHROCYTES OF PATIENTS WITH VISCERAL LEISH MANIASIS

Twenty five blood samples from 6-month to 5-year old children with visceral leishmaniasis were analysed for various enzymes. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and its various isoenzymes were estimated in the serum, while glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was measured in red blood cells. For comparison, blood samples from healthy children of the same age group (controls) were analysed in similar manner. Significantly higher values were obtained for the activities and the specific activities of AST, AL T and total LD in the patients. The activity and the percentage of LD-5 isoenzyme of the kala-azar patients were also significantly higher than the controls, while the percentage of LD-1 isoenzyme was significantly decreased. Hematocrit levels and G6PD activities of the visceral leishmaniasis patients were also significantly diminished.