Lysosomal enzyme cytochemistry in acute leukaemia.

A cytochemical study of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase in 60 cases of acute leukaemia has shown a qualitative difference in the cytoplasmic distribution of the enzyme between blast cells of the lymphoid and myeloid cell series. This difference provides a useful additional method for cytochemical classification of cell type and is superior in this respect to the other lysosomal enzymes studied (aryl sulphatase and acid phosphatase). The beta-glucuronidase reaction is recommended in those cases of acute leukaemia in which the periodic acid-Schiff reaction is negative or equivocal.