Fine structural studies of peripheral blood leucocytes from children with kwashiorkor: morphological and functional properties.

This is the first report of electron microscopic observation on circulating leucocytes from children with kwashiorkor, Neutrophils showed evidence of immaturity, prominent Golgi zones, granule pleomorphism; strands of endoplasmic reticulum and Döhle bodies were frequent. Although an in vitro microbicidal defect occurs with S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, the postphagocytic morphological events, including vacuole formation and degranulation, were normal. In mononuclear cell pellets plasmacytoid cells were frequently observed, and rare lymphoblasts occurred. The findings suggest activation of the phagocytic system and stimulation of humoral immunity in children with kwashiorkor. These fine structural observations are comparable to those which occur in trauma or thermal injury, both conditions associated with tissue breakdown and extensive antigenic stimulation.