Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in Platelets

The concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) wasfound to be 150-350 units per billion platelets in 52 normal individuals. In 21of 27 patients with thrombocytopenia the enzyme was found in normal concentrations.

Of the six cases showing thrombocytopenia with lowered enzyme concentration, five were examples of acute leukemia and one of disseminated lupuserythematosus.

In three individuals with "primaquine sensitive" erythrocytes the defect inthe platelet G-6-PD was also present.

The significance of the lowered enzyme activity in the six patients withthrombocytopenia is not known.

Submitted on October 24, 1960 Accepted on December 9, 1960