HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE PRODUCTION AND KILLING OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS BY HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (3) , 437-444
Abstract
The effects of bacterial neuraminidase on production of H2O2 and killing of S. aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were studied. The concentration of H2O2 was measured by the disappearance of scopoletin fluorescence in the presence of horseradish peroxidase. Desialylation of human PMN inhibited the stimulation of H2O2 production during phagocytosis. It also markedly impaired the killing of S. aureus. Impaired killing of S. aureus by desialylated PMN was due to impaired intracellular killing rather than defective phagocytosis.