Serum lactate dehydrogenase: clinical significance of alterations in its activity in lambs infected with Dictyocaulus filaria.

Alterations in the serum lactate dehydrogenase activity of Dictyocaulus filaria infected lambs were studied. The significant increase in its activity during patency correlated well with the progress of the disease and lung damage caused by the parasite. The enzyme may be of use in assessing the potency of D filaria vaccine and the chemotherapeutic value of an anthelmintic. Its use as a non-invasive method for earlier diagnosis and prognosis of the disease under experimental conditions is suggested.