Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity as a possible aid in cytological screening

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 33; no. 7; pp. 684 - 687
• Main Authors: Millett, J A, Chin, Y, Bitensky, L, Chayen, J, Husain, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.07.1980; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aminopeptidases - metabolism; Child; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Female; Humans; Lysosomes - enzymology; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - enzymology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - surgery; Uterine Neoplasms - diagnosis; Uterine Neoplasms - enzymology; Vaginal Smears
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.33.7.684

Lysosomal naphthylamidase activity has been measured microdensitometrically in cells in samples obtained by cervical and vaginal irrigation from 22 cases cytologically graded I and II, 28 graded III (moderate to severe dysplasia), 22 graded IV (carcinoma in situ), and 15 cases (grade V) of invasive carcinoma. There was a statistically significant difference in this activity in the cells from cases of grade V as against those in the relatively normal samples (grades I and II; p < 0.001) and as against those of grade IV (p < 0.005). The method is sufficiently robust for routine use provided that it is recognised that elevated activities can be found as a consequence of other factors such as previous surgical intervention and infection with herpes simplex.