English 
Italian CASI CLINICI – Case Reports
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2012; 36(1) 66-68
Published on-line:
DOI:
Un caso di macrolattatodeidrogenasemia
AUTHORS
Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona
ABSTRACT
A case of macrolactatedehydrogenasemia
We present here the detection of a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) macroenzyme in the blood of an apparently healthy female. The finding of an increased LDH activity during routine biochemical investigations led to a number of further laboratory and imaging examinations. When the diagnostic problem was finally posed to the laboratory consultant, a serum treatment with polyethylene glycol and an isoenzyme electrophoretic separation allowed to demonstrate the presence of a circulating macroenzyme. Macroenzymes have been described from almost 50 years, but despite many efforts it was difficult to recognize a pathogenetic role. Their recognition is, however, important in order to avoid expensive and cumbersome procedures to explain elevated enzyme values.