Observation and identification of lactate dehydrogenase anomaly in a postburn patient.
OBJECTIVE
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) anomaly is one of the macroenzymes. Macroenzymes are enzymes in serum that have formed high molecular mass complexes, either by self polymerisation or by association with other serum components. The aim of this study was to identify the properties of LDH anomaly and observe the changes from admission to discharge in a postburn patient with LDH anomaly in his serum.


METHODS
LDH isoenzymes of the serum were electrophoretically fractionated with terylene cellulose acetate supporting media; LDH anomaly was identified by counter immunoelectrophoresis.


RESULTS
An abnormal LDH-4 band and an extra band on the cathode of LDH-5 were observed in the serum of this patient and were found to be part of an LDH-IgG complex. As his symptoms improved, the patient's LDH anomaly gradually disappeared. The appearance and disappearance of the anomaly seemed to be related to the progression of the patient's burns.


CONCLUSIONS
In clinical practice, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of an LDH anomaly in patients when the LDH level is abnormally high or does not seem to be related to the clinical state. Early discovery of an LDH anomaly in a patient's serum may be useful for diagnosis and treatment.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038 Peoples' Republic of China. a65424208@online.cq.cn
Z-J
ZJ
Liu
Y
Y
Zhang
X-B
XB
Zhang
X
X
Yang
D002056:Burns / Q000201:enzymology*; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis / Q000379:methods; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form; D006801:Humans; D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form