Amylase isoenzymes during viral infections of the pancreas and salivary glands.

Abstract Infection of mice with Coxsackie B viruses produced severe acinar pancreatitis and a pronounced rise in serum amylase levels. Concurrently, pancreatic amylase content fell, and remained less than 5 per cent of normal for several months. Analysis of serum isoamylases by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that during the acute phase of the infection the hyperamylasemia was predominantly pancreatic in origin. Following infection, the amylase level in the serum returned to normal, but isoamylase analysis detected a marked decrease in the pancreatic isoamylases. In contrast, the M variant of encephalomyocarditis virus produced severe beta-cell damage but relatively little damage to the acinar cells of the pancreas and parotid. Serum amylase levels rose only slightly during the acute phase of the infection but were depressed for prolonged periods thereafter. Analysis of serum isoamylases revealed decreased levels of both pancreatic and salivary isoamylases. Our studies suggest that quantitation of serum isoamylases might be a useful tool for detecting and differentiating pancreatic and parotid disease.