Lactoferrin and Lysozyme in Arthritic Exudates

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Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) was assayed by radioimmunoassay in plasma and arthritic exudates [human] and compared with lysozyme (LZ) levels and leukocyte counts. Mean LF concentration in 38 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exudates was 9.1 mg/l (range 0.02-39.2). In 30 non-RA exudates LF was 3.3 mg/l (range 0.01-14.6). Corresponding LZ levels were 7.4 mg/l (range 2.5-18.5) in RA and 4.7 (range 1.0-12.5) in non-RA fluids. Exudate/plasma ratios were much higher for LF than for LZ and higher in RA than in non-RA exudates, whereas leukocyte counts did not differ. The LF/leukocyte count ratio was significantly higher in RA than in the non-RA group. A more prominent release of neutrophilic granulocyte components in RA than in non-RA arthritis is suggested.