Lysozyme (Muramidase)

Muramidase, Lysozyme, Plasma

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232018, Beaker: LYSOZYME, Quest: 619

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred): One Gold top tube serum separator tube (SST).

Also Acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Send specimen for processing immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within one hour of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46) prior to transport.

Delayed separation of the serum can result in spuriously high levels of lysozyme, presumably because of the breakdown of leukocytes.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated at (2-8°C or 36-46). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to gross hemolysis.
• Grossly lipemic.
• Room temperature samples older that 24 hours.
• Plasma.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells immediately. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46).

Delayed separation of the serum can result in spuriously high levels of lysozyme, presumably because of the breakdown of leukocytes.

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 15 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 18 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 1-3 days.

Reference Range

5.0-11.0 mcg/m

Test Methodology

Enzymatic

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Lysozyme in the serum is primarily due to the degradation of granulocytes and monocytes and its concentration reflects the turnover of these cells. Increases are seen in benign and malignant processes. Serum lysozyme is elevated in patients with acute or chronic granulocytic or monocytic leukemias and levels decrease with successful treatment. Conversely, patients with lymphocytic leukemia may have depressed plasma lysozyme levels.

CPT Codes

85549

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025