β-Hexosaminidase Level in Serum from Patients with Viral Hepatitis as a Measure of Reticuloendothelial Function

Abstract

The lysosomal enzyme β-hexosaminidase was elevated in different forms of hepatitis. The enzyme level was correlated to the aminotransferases in the acute stage of hepatitis A and B. In hepatitis B there was also a corre¹ation to ALP and bilirubin. In chronic hepatitis B a significant correlation was found only to ALAT. The elevated β-hexosaminidase levels are attributed to defective non-parenchymal liver cell function in hepatitis.