Damage to the connective tissue system in patients with post-traumatic osteomyelitis

In 63 patients with suppurative bone process the activity of N-acetyl-fi-D-glucosaminidaze lyso­somal enzyme in urine as well as oxyproline and hexuronic acids excretion were evaluated. Significant changes in metabolism of collagen and proteoglycans of osseous organic matrix were detected and it was confirmed by high excretion of their structural components. The more active and vaster the suppurative process was the more quantitative excretion of collagen and glu- cosaminoglycans and higher enzyme activity were. The suggestion was formulated that high excretion of N-acetyl-fl-D-glucosaminidaze in urine noted in the patients with suppurative inflammatory complications was the indicator of pathologic changes in tubular apparatus of kidney. The detection of excretion of the connective tissue metabolites (oxyproline and hexuron­ic acids) could be used for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of the disease severity and for the choice of method for the treatment of suppurative process.