Lack of cytochalasin E-induced superoxide release by polymorphonuclear leucocytes of patients with chronic granulomatous disease: a new diagnostic test.

Reduction of exogenous cytochrome c was induced by the treatment of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes with cytochalasin E. The reduction was completely inhibited by superoxide, dismutase, indicating that superoxide anions were released from the cells. The leucocytes from two patients with chronic granulomatous disease did not show the release reaction that should have been brought on by the treatment. The cytochalasin-induced reduction of exogenous cytochrome c by polymorphonuclear leucocytes is so specific and sensitive that it seems to be useful for diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease.