Clinical usefulness and methodology of immunological assay of pancreatic enzymes.

Radioimmunoassays for plasma pancreatic enzymes, especially cationic trypsin, are good tools to diagnose pancreatic pathology. The trypsin assay is very sensitive. Its detection limit is 300 pg/ml. The plasma level of this enzyme appears to be representative of pancreatic function. This assay was shown to be valuable in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, and to follow the course of the disease. In chronic pancreatitis, it enables assessment of residual function of the organ. In the terminal stage of this disease, very low values were found. Used as a screening test, the assay allowed early detection of cystic fibrosis.