[Inflammatory reaction and laboratory tests]

Inflammation is a local reactive process against tissue destruction. In inflamed tissue, there are cell reactions such as migration of leukocytes and mobilization of macrophages, and vascular reactions caused by various inflammatory agents. At this symposium, we discussed the recent trend of laboratory tests that might be sensitive indicators of inflammation. Although most of these indicators are nonspecific for diagnosing diseases, some of them might be important in the study for the pathogenesis and for planning treatment. First Dr. Kasahara spoke on the topic of interleukin 1, one of the most important agents that mediated the tissue reaction. The next speaker reported about a classical acute phase reactant, CRP, and a new indicator, SAA. Then there were presentations of two papers on leukocytes and elastase in granulocyte, respectively.