[Evaluation of the elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin balance in patients with bacterial pneumonia using bronchoalveolar lavage].

This study was designed to evaluate the elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin balance in patients with bacterial pneumonia. To accomplish this, bronchoalveolar lavages were performed in patients with pneumonia and normal non-smokers. Cell differentiation counts and elastase/alpha 1-antitrypsin balances in alveolar lavage fluid were examined. To quantify antielastase capacity, total immunoreactive alpha 1-antitrypsins and active alpha 1-antitrypsins were measured in alveolar lavage fluids. To quantify elastase burden, elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin complexes and enzymatic elastase activities in alveolar lavage fluids were measured. Significantly increased proportions of neutrophils were recovered from the alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia compared to normal non-smokers. In alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia, alpha 1-antitrypsin was inactivated and enzymatic elastase activities were demonstrated. It was concluded that elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin imbalance do occur in alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia.