Polymorphonuclear functions in Hodgkin's disease patients at diagnosis, in remission, and in relapse

Five tests investigating different aspects of the nonspecific defense mechanisms including capillary tube random migration, particle ingestion activity, quantitative and histochemical nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction by polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and serum lysozyme concentrations were performed in 46 patients with Hodgkin's disease. The anomalies observed in the active stage of the disease consisted of a decreased random migration, a high level of serum lysozyme, and an increased nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by resting phagocytes associated with a decrease in nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by stimulated phagocytes. The particle ingestion activity was normal. The serum lysozyme assay was the only test observed to normalize in the group of patients in remission. Its determination, therefore, offers an additional means of evaluating disease activity.