Intracellular bactericidal activity of leukocytes in whole blood for the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood.

A simplified method for the assay fo intracellular bactericidal activity of leukocytes in whole blood was developed. Providing that serum-resistant organisms are studied, the method can be used with gram-negative baccilli as well as with Staphylococcus aureus. The abnormalities characteristic of patients with chronic granulomatous disease of childhood and their mothers can be readily detected by this technique. By this means an abnormality in intracellular killing of Pseudomonas cepacia in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease and in his heterozygotic mother was found.