Granulocyte function and Pseudomonas burn wound infection.

Granulocyte function in burn injury has been evaluated with an in vitro animal assay. Bactericidal activity, using this technique, was markedly depressed only when granulocytes from scald burned rats were challenged with each of three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of autologous postburn serum or heat-inactivated serum. Preincubation of postburn and normal serum at 37 degrees C for 1 h resulted in normal phagocytosis. These studies validate an investigation of plasma and/or granulocyte replacement therapy in the burned patient.