Plasma factor XIII activity level was measured concurrently with its subunits A and S in relation to the change of clinical condition in 86 cases with various hematological diseases.
In acute leukemia, factor XIII activity and subunit A levels were extremely depressed along with subunit S levels. In cases of remission, these levels returned to normal, while unresponsive cases continued to show depressed levels. In cases with malignant lymphoma, plasma factor XIII activity and subunit A levels were depressed but improved strikingly after treatment. In the chronic stage of CML, these levels were maintained within normal ranges; however, in the acute stage, both factor XIII activity and subunit A levelswere depressed.
Both subunits A and S levels remained almost within normal range in cases with CLL, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, aplastic anemia and ITP. Factor XIII activity levels showed changes similar to subunit A levels.
Depressed factor XIII activity level seemed to be associated with malignant pathological changes and severity. Especially in acute leukemia, depressed subunits A and S levels suggested that their synthesis had been impaired.
No significant conrrelation was found between platelet count and number of bone marrow megakaryocyte.
