Histochemical similarities between newborn and leukaemic myeloid cells and their possible significance

Abstract

SYNOPSIS The neutrophilic alkaline phosphatase activity of 40 newborns was determined and found to be frequently raised, similarly to a leukaemoid reaction. The newborn neutrophil has strong alkaline phosphatase activity and is unlike the myeloid leukaemia cell which has no alkaline phosphatase activity.We have recently been interested in investigating various enzyme activities in leukaemic cells. It has been established that neutrophils in chronic myeloid leukaemia have decreased or absent alkaline phosphatase activity (Kaplow, 1955; Wiltshaw and Maloney, 1955). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that in neutrophils the alkaline phosphatase activity is raised in leukaemoid states due to various aetiologies, polycythaemia rubra vera, and in extraand intrauterine pregnancy.It is possible that the adult leukaemic myeloid cell may represent an immature cell such as is found in newborn infants. In this study, the problem was to ascertain if the newborn neutrophil possessed alkaline phosphatase activity. METHODS AND MATERIALSWe studied 40 newborns (first week of life). The infants were equally divided into male and female and Caucasian and Negro groups. The Kaplow (1955) 6 Place in dilute ammonium sulphide for five minutes (1 5 % NH4S). 'Present address:

Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase in the Newborn

“…The value of the LAP scores in infants born in prolonged labor was lower than that of normal delivery. This result is similar to that obtained in mothers during prolonged delivery (7), and differs from the results of Wolf et al (11). The activity of LAP in mothers in delivery is higher than that of infants.…”

Characterization of Newborn Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase

“…In cord blood LAP was found to be increased compared to the child level according to the results of several authors [7,13,20,30].…”

“…This increase of LAP is probably related to physiological leukocytosis or stress at birth [30]. Higher levels were found in newborns who had traumatic births, while lower values were detected in newborns with jaundice [30].…”

“…LAP activity was found to be increased in newborns [7,13,20,30]. This increase of LAP is probably related to physiological leukocytosis or stress at birth [30].…”

“…Higher levels were found in newborns who had traumatic births, while lower values were detected in newborns with jaundice [30]. W o lf et al [30] observed in several newborns two populations of neutrophils with the enzyme histochemical technique; one had alkaline phosphatase activity and the other had no activity.…”