The measurement of superoxide anion production by granulocytes In whole blood. A clinical test for the evaluation of phagocyte function and serum opsonic capacity.

The paper reports a simple, sensitive and time-saving procedure for the assay of the function of the phagocytes on microsamples of whole blood. The method consists in the evaluation of the stimulation of superoxide anion (O-2) production (as superoxide dismutase-sensitive cytochrome c reduction) by leukocytes in whole blood challenged with (a) phagocytosable particles (opsonized zymosan); (b) particles that become phagocytosable by virtue of the opsonizing capacity of the plasma of blood samples (zymosan); and (c) a soluble agent such as phorbol myristate acetate. Preliminary studies indicate that this procedure can be used as a routine test because it enables information to be obtained about the respiratory responsiveness of phagocytes and about cellular and humoral defects of phagocytosis.