Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Activity in Lymphocytes of Normal Individuals and Patients with Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia

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Abstract
Summary. Adenosine dcamiiiase (adenosine aminohydrolase, ADA) activity was found to be low in lymphocytes of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) patients compared to normal lymphocytes. This was determined on 42 controls and 49 CLL patients. The mean activity in normal lymphocytes was found to be 4.35±3.34 μmol/h/108 cells while in CLL cells it was 2.45±2.54 μmol/h/108 cells.The association of red cell adenosine deaininase (ADA) deficiency with the autosomal recessive form of combined immune deficiency syndrome has been well established (Giblett & Anderson, 1972; Knudsen & Dissing, 1973; Meuwissen et al, 1975). Low levels of ADA were also described in children with acute lymphatic leukaemia in relapse and remission as well as in their parents (Zimmer et al, 1974). Since an immunologic handicap frequently evolves during the course of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), it is of special interest to determine the activity of this enzyme in lymphocytes of such patients as compared to normals.