GROUP-II PHOSPHOLIPASE-A2 IN SYNOVIAL-FLUID AND SERUM IN ACUTE ARTHRITIS

Increased catalytic activity of synovial-type (group II) phospholipase A2 (syn-PLA2), has been associated with cartilage erosions in rheumat oid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The catalytic activity of phospholip ase A2 and the concentration of syn-PLA2 were measured in a prospectiv e study in synovial fluid (SF) samples from 66 patients with acute kne e joint effusion. The median (range) of the concentration of syn-PLA2 in SF was 210 mu g/l (80-1480 mu g/l) in culture-positive septic arthr itis, 460 mu g/l (270-1040 mu g/l) in reactive arthritis, 780 mu g/l ( 120-2710 mu g/l) in osteoarthritis and 230 mu g/l (80-1400 mu g/l) in traumatic joint effusions. High concentrations of syn-PLA2 are found a lso in SF of patients with arthritides not expected to lead to permane nt destruction of cartilage.