THE IMPORTANCE OF PLASMA POLYMORPHONUCLEAR (PMN) ELASTASE DETERMINATION IN PATIENTS WITH UVEITIS

Purpose: Polymorphonuclear elastase is used as an important marker for inflammatory disease. We wanted to show whether polymorphonuclear ela stase could be a marker in uveitis. Methods: Twenty-two patients with uveitis and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Po lymorphonuclear elastase levels were determined by immunoactivation me thod before and after periods of corticosteroid and/or ciclosporin tre atments. Results: The levels were high in all of the patients before t reatment; the levels reached normal range with treatment. In some case s, however, uveitis could not be suppressed in spite of treatment; the se patients had high polymorphonuclear elastase levels. Conclusions: I t was concluded that determination of polymorphonuclear elastase level may be used for monitoring of uveitis.