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Chemiluminescence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and whole blood during acute bacterial infection
K Pauksens1, J Sjölin, P Venge
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to follow the changes in oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and whole blood, during and after an acute bacterial infection, in otherwise healthy individuals, with the hypothesis that the majority of the subnormal activities found at clinical investigation of PMN functions in this respect, as part of the investigation of individuals with increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, is explained by subclinical infections or consequences of recent infections. 10 patients were followed from the day of admission and up to 80 days after the acute illness. Luminol- but not lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) of PMN was increased during the febrile period and normalized in parallel with normalization in body temperature. Both luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced CL were enhanced in whole blood during the period of fever. Subnormal activities of luminol- or lucigenin-enhanced CL were only seen sporadically. We conclude that the oxidative metabolism of PMN, as measured by lucigenin-enhanced CL, is virtually unaffected cause of the increased luminol-enhanced CL during the acute illness is suggested to be due to the increase mobilization of myeloperoxidase.
Insights
This study investigated oxidative metabolism in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during bacterial infections. Findings suggest PMN oxidative metabolism is largely unaffected, with increased luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence attributed to myeloperoxidase mobilization.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cellular Metabolism
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play a crucial role in the innate immune response to bacterial infections.
- Assessing PMN oxidative metabolism is vital for understanding immune susceptibility.
- Previous studies noted subnormal PMN functions, potentially linked to subclinical infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track changes in oxidative metabolism of PMN and whole blood during and after acute bacterial infection.
- To test the hypothesis that impaired PMN function is due to recent or subclinical infections.
- To elucidate the role of myeloperoxidase in PMN oxidative responses.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 10 patients admitted for acute bacterial infection.
- Measurement of luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) in PMN and whole blood.
- Monitoring of body temperature and clinical status for up to 80 days post-illness.
Main Results:
- Luminol-enhanced CL in PMN increased during fever and normalized with temperature.
- Lucigenin-enhanced CL in PMN was largely unaffected.
- Both luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced CL in whole blood were elevated during fever.
- Subnormal CL activities were observed only sporadically.
Conclusions:
- PMN oxidative metabolism, particularly as measured by lucigenin-enhanced CL, remains largely unaffected during acute bacterial infections.
- The observed increase in luminol-enhanced CL is likely due to increased myeloperoxidase mobilization.
- The study challenges the notion that impaired PMN function in susceptible individuals is solely due to recent or subclinical infections.