Serum Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase Isoenzyme Patterns in Tropical Sprue. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The serum lactic acid dehy-drogenase isoenzyme pattern has been studied in 7 normal subjects, 6 patients with tropical sprue in its acute phase and 4 partially, but inadequately treated cases of tropical sprue. The results reveal a marked increase in the LD5 isoenzyme fraction which returned to normal with continuous adequate specific therapy. Since the isoenzyme abnormality does not disappear until 10-14 days after the serum lactic dehydrogenase reach a normal level, an abnormally high LD5 iso-enzyme fraction may be an indication of the lack of total correction of the abnormalities present during the acute phase of the disease. As such, this may be a sign of the need of more active therapy.