Prevalence of macroamylasaemia using polyethylene glycol precipitation as a screening method.
Four hundred and fifty-four subjects with hyperamylasaemia were screened for the presence of macroamylase using polyethylene glycol precipitation (PEG) and the Beckman automated amylase assay based on the hydrolysis of maltotetraose. Twenty-five subjects (5.5%) exhibited PEG precipitation values suggestive of macroamylasaemia (MA) (>52% loss of original amylase activity). Macroamylasaemia was confirmed by gel filtration chromatography (GFC) in 21/25 subjects, using albumin as a molecular weight marker. Biochemical and clinical details of the 21 subjects identified are presented and discussed. It is recommended that serum exhibiting more than 57% precipitation of the original amylase activity by PEG should be examined by GFC to confirm or exclude MA.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Kent & Sussex, Hospital, UK. graham@lawson1955.freeserve.co.uk
G J
GJ
Lawson
D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008320:Maltose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D015995:Prevalence; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008320:Maltose; C009819:maltotetraose; D000681:Amylases