Factors influencing lysozyme determinations by the lysoplate method.

Some factors influencing the lysoplate method have been investigated. The influences of pH, ionic strength and temperature of the gel medium can be explained by considering the influence of these factors upon the diffusion rate rather than upon the enzymatic properties of lysozyme. Salts and proteins present in a sample probably affect the results in a similar way. Although the method has a variation coefficient around 10% and thus an acceptable precision, its accuracy is variable and doubtful. The method could be clinically interesting, by discriminating lysozyme isoenzymes, or by indirectly detecting proteins associated with some disease states.