[The chemiluminescence of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes in food poisoning]

Luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) induced by zymosan, opsonized autoserum was used to study the oxygen-dependent bactericidal system of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) in patients with food toxico-infections, at different disease periods. Different modifications of CL were established to have analogous dynamics on days 1 and 2 of the disease and differences as to the period of convalescence. A correlation was revealed between the amplitude of CL and the intensity of the intoxication syndrome. The conclusion is made about the role played by granulocytes in the disease pathogenesis. The authors review potential mechanisms of participation of PNL free radicals in the pathophysiological shifts responsible for the development, course and outcome of food toxico-infections.