ACTIVATION OF THE BACTERICIDAL CAPACITY OF BLOOD GRANULOCYTES - EVALUATION OF A NEW METHOD AND THE EFFECT OF LEVAMISOLE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 87  (6) , 357-364
Abstract
In most polymorphonuclear (PMN) bactericidal assays each PMN is given about 0.5-4 bacteria to kill but this ratio may not be optimal for the detection of changes in PMN killing functions. Since 1 PMN incubated with increasing amounts of Staphylococcus aureus can kill 45-90 colony forming units (CFU), a new assay giving each PMN [human] a submaximal bacterial amount (i.e., 30-40 CFU/PMN) was developed. This new assay was compared with a standard one (i.e., using 2-4 CFU/PMN) concerning the effects on PMN of thermal inactivation and of levamisole. Exposure to 46.degree. C for 3-5 min decreased the killing capacity, more easily descernable with the standard assay. Incubation with levamisole in concentrations of 10-6-10-7 M increased the PMN killing capacity; this was more evident with the modified assay. Enhancement of PMN killing functions might be detected better with the present modified PMN bactericidal assay; impairments are disclosed more readily with the standard assay.