[Diagnostic value of increased lactate dehydrogenase activity in vaginal secretions for the early detection of diseases requiring treatment of the female genitals and breast].

The Diagnostic Validity of Enhanced Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity in the Vaginal Secretion for Early Diagnosis of Diseases of the Female Genitals and the Mamma in Need of Treatment. An impregnated hygiene tampon (Gynaegnost) was used, which by a colour reaction permits the determination of augmented activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in vaginal secretion. The diagnostic validity of the results of the findings by this method in the detection of diseases of the female genitals and the mamma needing treatment was examined in two clinical diagnostic studies. The first study including 486 patients chiefly suffering from manifest carcinoma was aimed at solving a deliberately limited question. In patients with carcinoma stages I to IV of the most important genital locations augmented LDH-activity (correct positive results) was found in about 90%. A second study comprised 1955 women entering into outpatient gynaecological services for preventive examination; the definition of this series was difficult. Three categories of diagnostic groups can be determined by the results of this study. In the first category with the most important subgroup "routine examination without specification of a pathological finding" less than 20% "false" positive test results by the indicator were observed. A second category with inflammatory diseases (colpitis, endometritis) showed positive results in about one-third of the examinations. The third category comprised a minor number of malignant tumors roughly with a percentage of positive results corresponding to that of the first study. Augmented LDH activity in vaginal secretion is a diagnostic criterion which detects not only cancer; it is similar to the test of occult blood in faeces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)