Enzymes in Urine and Kidney.

Abstract

This interesting monograph contains the proceedings of the International Conference on Enzymes in Urine held in Switzerland in October 1967. This program was under the direction of H. Wirz, J. H. Wilkinson, and H. Mattenheimer. Many authorities from various disciplines were brought together to discuss this field which is beginning to realize some clinical significance. There are a total of 11 chapters, each followed by a general discussion; these are probably the most valuable parts of the book, together with rather excellent bibliographies and numerous cases. One chapter in particular, by J. H. Wilkinson from Philadelphia, on the "Diagnostic Significance of Enzyme Determinations in the Urine" is outstanding. He describes in considerable detail the normal values as well as the disturbed levels for lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase found in various disease states. Unfortunately, as he has pointed out, neither enzyme is specific in differential diagnosis. He summarizes by stating