[Sialic acid deficiency transferrin: a very promising biological marker, sensitive to chronic alcoholism].

Chronical alcohol ingestion may induce conformational molecular modifications of plasma transferrin: alcohol modifies the content of its carbohydrates. The abnormal transferrin contains reduced amounts of carbohydrates, especially sialic acid, constituting its terminal trisaccharides biantennary chains. Plasma levels of partly deficient or asialotransferrin increase in chronically drinkers. In English speaking countries, it is called carbohydrate deficient transferrin or CDT. A positive correlation is obtained between the plasmatic concentration of CDT and the amount of ingested alcohol. Positivity and sensitivity of CDT are superior to those other usual biological parameters. The CDT quantitation may be proposed for the detection and the follow-up of alcohol drinkers, in order to evaluate the degree of intoxication, and during the period of withdrawal.