الفهرس 
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Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a generalized disorder which predominantly affects synovial joints. The synovial membrane displays a chronic non suppurative inflammation which is associated with erosive destruction of joint cartilage, ligaments, tendons and subchondral bone (Manicourt et al., 1993). Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis differs in many respects from adult rheumatoid arthritis. Oligoarthritis is common and systemic onset is seen more frequently. Large joints are more predominantly involved than small joints. Subcutaneous nodules and RF seropositivity are unusual, but ANA seropositivity is a hallmark of this disease (Cassidy, 1993). No single variable give full information about the inflammatory process in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To help the physician in the evaluation of the inflammatory process, the leukocyte protein L 1 was suggested. This is a 36.5 KDa protein, thought to be released from monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes during activation and cell death. The protein has not been detected in B- or T lymphocytes, erythrocytes or platelets. It is detected in plasma by use of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Fagerhol et al., 1990). High plasma level of Ll was detected in adult and juvenile RA patients, and L 1 was an indicator of inflammation in these patients having a stronger con-elation with clinical SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Rheumatoid arthritis is a generalized disorder which predominantly affects synovial joints. The synovial membrane displays a chronic non suppurative inflammation which is associated with erosive destruction of joint cartilage, ligaments, tendons and subchondral bone (Manicourt et al., 1993). Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis differs in many respects from adult rheumatoid arthritis. Oligoarthritis is common and systemic onset is seen more frequently. Large joints are more predominantly involved than small joints. Subcutaneous nodules and RF seropositivity are unusual, but ANA seropositivity is a hallmark of this disease (Cassidy, 1993). No single variable give full information about the inflammatory process in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To help the physician in the evaluation of the inflammatory process, the leukocyte protein L 1 was suggested. This is a 36.5 KDa protein, thought to be released from monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes during activation and cell death. The protein has not been detected in B- or T lymphocytes, erythrocytes or platelets. It is detected in plasma by use of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Fagerhol et al., 1990). High plasma level of Ll was detected in adult and juvenile RA patients, and L 1 was an indicator of inflammation in these patients having a stronger con-elation with clinical.