Lysozymuria and renal tubular dysfunction in monocytic and myelomonocytic leukemia

Monocytic or myelomonocytic leukemia is associated with lysozymuria. These patients often also have hypokalemia. In order to determine whether or not there is an association between lysozymuria and hypokalemia, balance studies were performed in three patients with this disorder and hypokalemia. The results indicate that all three patients had marked lysozymuria and inappropriately high rates of renal potassium loss. There was also limitation in titratable acid excretion in one patient and glycosuria and hyperuricosuria in another. Ammonium excretion following the administration of an ammonium chloride load was above the expected values at a given urine pH in two patients. All subjects had osteoporosis and fractures developed spontaneously or following minor trauma.