title: Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity as a possible aid in cytological screening.
abstract: Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity has been measured microdensitometrically in cells in samples obtained by cervical and vaginal irrigation from 22 cases cytologically graded I and II, 28 graded III (moderate to severe dysplasia), 22 graded IV (carcinoma in situ), and 15 cases (grade V) of invasive carcinoma. There was a statistically significant difference in this activity in the cells from cases of grade V as against those in the relatively normal samples (grades I and II; p < 0.001) and as against those of grade IV (p < 0.005). The method is sufficiently robust for routine use provided that it is recognised that elevated activities can be found as a consequence of other factors such as previous surgical intervention and infection with herpes simplex.
mesh_terms: D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D000626:Aminopeptidases