CHANGES IN SERUM ALPHA-2 GLOBULINS IN RETICULOSES

Elevated plasma lysozyme in Hodgkin's disease. An indicator of increased macrophage activity?

Plasma lysozyme levels were studied in 42 patients with Hodgkin's disease and were found significantly increased. Plasma lysozyme varied with the stage of the disease and with symptoms, but did not correlate with the histological subtype or with blood neutrophil and monocyte counts. Serial measurements in four patients on MOPP treatment showed a rapid decrease following treatment. The increased plasma lysozyme in Hodgkin's disease stems most likely from the macrophage system, either because the macrophages are hyperactive and/or because the malignant cell in Hodgkin's disease is of macrophage origin.

Total serum haemolytic complement activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma fibrinogen as indicators of the stage in Hodgkin's disease

Total serum haemolytic complement activity, plasma fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other biological values in forty-three patients with Hodgkin's disease were correlated with results of staging. A highly significant increase (P=10(-5)) of the mean total serum haemolytic complement activity was found in stages IIIA and IVA and in all stages with systemic symptoms. The complement activity in patients with less extensive disease without systemic symptoms (stages IA and IIA) did not show a significant increase over the controls. The best initial parameters correlating well with disease activity were complement activity, ESR and fibrinogen level. It is concluded that total serum haemolytic complement activity gives additional information and can be helpful in differentiating between favourable and unfavourable forms of Hodgkin's disease.