Automated assay of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in normal and pathological human urine.

An automated method for the assay of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in human urine is described and a normal range of urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity is reported. The automated method has been used routinely over a twelve month period in two London hospitals for monitoring the excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in renal transplant patients. The abnormal elevation of urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase provides an early warning of rejection by indicating the presence of renal parenchymal damage. The automated assay of urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase may also be used in screening for the presence of renal disease.