[Myeloperoxidase deficiency as a cause of recurrent infections]

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency is a common hereditary leukocyte function defect. A two year old girl with MPO-deficiency suffered from recurrent skin infections. No MPO-activity was detectable in leukocytes of her peripheral blood smears, while NBT reduction and chemotactic activity was normal. The quantitative enzyme determination in leukocyte sonicates confirmed the total MPO-deficiency in the girl's leukocytes and a partial MPO-deficiency in the cells of her mother. The patient leukocytes demonstrated also an impaired chemiluminescence.