Immunoglobulin-complexed aspartate aminotransferase.
We report a case of increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1; GOT) in a 17-year-old girl which persisted for 3 years. The patient was healthy, but a high level of serum AST was detected during a school health check. Further examination revealed that AST was increased to as high as 259 IU/l while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was normal. Immunoelectrosyneresis and immunoprecipitation methods revealed that this atypical AST combined with IgG--kappa, lambda globulin and formed macromolecular complexes. Including the present case, 26 cases of IgG-complexed AST have been reported. It is important to be aware of this syndrome, and thereby avoid unnecessary examinations and therapies.
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University East Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.
S
S
Matama
H
H
Ito
S
S
Tanabe
A
A
Shibuya
H
H
Shibata
K
K
Saigenji
K
K
Sakurai
M
M
Hasegawa
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000097:blood; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000097:blood; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D011233:Precipitin Tests
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; D007527:Isoenzymes; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase