Abstract
Alpha1-Antitrypsin (α1-AT) level has been studied using the single radial immunodiffusion in 406 children with various infectious or inflammatory diseases from 1976 to 1980.
The level of α1-AT as a component of acute phase reactant elevated over 600 mg/dl was observed in patients with Kawasaki disease (MCLS) and pyothorax. Only 31 patients in the 406cases had the level over 600 mg/dl and 27 of the 31 patients were MCLS and pyothorax. The α1-AT level of MCLS was 704.8±114.1 mg/dl (n=19), and that of pyothorax was 719.2±119. 7 (n=13) in contrast to the other levels, 373.5±61. 6mg/dl of pneumonia (n=86), 280.5±60. 6 mg/dl of streptococcosis (n=11) or 254. 8±43. 2 mg/dl of normal children (n=127) .
The high level of α1-AT in MCLS and pyothorax was apparent and its correlation with each clinical course was clearly observed. We concluded that α1-AT was useful indicator of acute phase reactant especially in MCLS and pyothorax. The reason of the high level was not determinded but the relation to the lung damage in pyothorax, and the relation to the disseminated vasculitis in MCLS was postulated subsequently.
