STUDIES OF THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM (RES). II. CHANGES IN THE PHAGOCYTIC CAPACITY OF THE RES IN PATIENTS WITH CERTAIN INFECTIONS*

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Abstract
The phagocytic capacity of the RES was measured in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, typhoid fever, sandfly fever, and tularemia. Pneumococcal pneumonia, typhoid fever and probably pneumonic tularemia increased the maximal rate of removal of aggregated albumin particles from the circulation. In sand-fly fever, there was suggestive evidence of a decrease in ability of the RES to remove this particulate matter from the circulation. Enhanced phagocytosis was not related to the level of circulating polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes. Enhanced phagocytic ability was observed after patients had shown evidence of recovery from infection. In addition to its function in engulfing microorganisms, the RES seemed to function as a nonspecific "scavenger," increasing its capacity in response to debris left behind as a result of infection. The use of aggregated albumin was safe both from an immunological and radiation standpoint, and provided an effective means of studying the body''s ability to clear nonspecific particulate matter from the circulation.