Pentosuria

Abstract

During the past two years one hundred urines which reduced Fehling's solution slightly were examined for identification of the reducing substance. In fifteen cases pentose was found to be present. Identification was made by (1) phenyl pentosazone crystals, (2) phloroglucin reaction, (3) absorption spectrum. The nature of the pentose was not determined. In all cases several specimens were examined under dietetic precautions in order to exclude alimentary pentosuria. In these fifteen cases no carbohydrate other than pentose could be detected. The pentose content ranged between 0.1 and 0.5 per cent. In all of these fifteen urines containing pentose acetone was found in appreciable quantity. Acetone was detected by treating the distillate with sodium nitro-prusside and ammonia.

Five of these fifteen cases showed a positive tuberculin reaction (subcutaneous injection of the bacillen emulsion), three gave a history of chronic alcoholism but claimed to have been abstaining for a considerable time, three were suffering from some obscure intestinal disturbances, and in regard to the remaining four cases little can be said at the present writing.