title: [Elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor in diseases of the neonatal period].
abstract: Elastase, a neutral protease stored in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils, is immediately released during the process of phagocytosis and rapidly bound and inactivated by alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. This complex (E-alpha 1-PI) is highly stable and can be identified by ELISA-technique. In our study 95% of all infants with neonatal septicemia and/or meningitis had significantly increased plasma levels of E-alpha 1-PI at the time of diagnosis (n = 37). After initiation of therapy normalization of E-alpha 1-PI levels was observed in all neonates who recovered from infection. These data suggest that E-alpha 1-PI is a sensitive and rapidly responsive indicator of neonatal septicemia. In addition E-alpha 1-PI may be helpful in monitoring the course of the disease. However, the specificity of E-alpha 1-PI is rather low: in patients with local infections and inflammatory processes such as neonatal pneumonia, enterocolitis and meconium aspiration E-alpha 1-PI levels were also shown to be increased. In contrast, all patients with hyaline membrane disease had E-alpha 1-PI levels within the normal range.
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D011379:Prognosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin
vernacular_title: Elastase-alpha 1-Proteinase-Inhibitor bei Erkrankungen der Neonatalperiode.