Enhancing effect of whole-body ultraviolet light irradiation on Candida albicans activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

In an irradiation dose-dependent manner, the whole-body ultraviolet irradiation of healthy volunteers enhances the Candida albicans killing activity of the circulating polymorphonuclear granulocytes. This enhancing effect can be inhibited by oral indomethacine treatment. The sera of the irradiated subjects enhances the killing activity of the granulocytes of untreated individuals. This transfer can be blocked through the administration to the system of ginkgolide B, a competitive antagonist of the platelet activating factor.