[Phosphohexose isomerase activity in parotid and submandibular saliva as a parameter in the diagnosis of chronic sialadenitis].

The phosphohexose isomerase (PHI) activity was measured in parotid and submandibular saliva of patients suffering from chronic sialadenitis and of healthy control persons. In control persons the mean PHI value determined in parotid saliva (10.93 +/- 1.17 U/l) was significantly lower compared to that measured in submandibular saliva (38.18 +/- 4.44 U/l). In chronic sialadenitis the salivary PHI activity was significantly increased and reached values up to 5440 U/l in parotid secretion and values up to 1620 U/l in submandibular secretion. The possible role of salivary PHI activity as a parameter for the diagnosis of chronic sialadenitis is discussed.