[Leukocyte elastase in blood plasma from tuberculosis patients and its role in disturbances of blood coagulation regulatory processes].

Unlabelled: 53 patients with lung tuberculosis were divided in 3 groups in accordance with severity of disease. Leukocyte elastase, cationic proteins in neutrophils, activities of alpha 1-proteinase and alpha 2-macroglobulin were determined in patients' plasma. Thromboelastographic, coagulating, fibrinolytic indices, and antithrombin III activity were also determined in 28 patients of all 3 groups. Results demonstrated the high level of leukocyte elastase (6-fold more than normal) in plasma of patients with acute tuberculosis process. This group of patients demonstrated activation of intravascular coagulation proceeded on the background of significant decrease (up to 60%) of AT III activity.

Conclusion: Acuity and severity of tuberculosis process in lung may be characterized by high activity of leukocyte elastase. Degranulating activity of neutrophils and releasing of elastase are the reason of AT III deficiency and increasing of intravascular coagulating activity in tuberculosis patients.