PMN Elastase in Local Infection

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase, a proteolytic enzyme, is a biochemical marker for pathologic granulocyte stimulation [2,4,6]. In the presence of sepsis excessive neutrophil stimulation occurs, and significant amounts of PMN elastase are released into the plasma and serve as an indicator of the severity and prognosis of the disease [5, 7, 8]. Dittmer et al. found a positive correlation between the amount of liberated elastase and the severity of trauma [3]. In our current study we wanted to evaluate PMN elastase as a marker for the detection and follow-up of local infection of bone and joint.