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 elastase could be a marker in uveitis. Methods: Twenty-two patients with uveitis and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Polymorphonuclear elastase levels were determined by immunoactivation method before and after periods of corticosteroid and/or ciclosporin treatments. Results: The levels were high in all of the patients before treatment; the levels reached normal range with treatment. In some cases, however, uveitis could not be suppressed in spite of treatment; these patients had high polymorphonuclear elastase levels. Conclusion: It was concluded that determination of polymorphonuclear elastase level may be used for monitoring of uveitis.