Chemiluminescence assay was used to assess the respiratory burst activities of polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes from paediatric patients reported to manifest with several episodes of recurrent bacterial infections. From this group of patients evaluated, only 10 cases of severe recurrent bacterial abscess exhibited more than 80% depression in the phagocytic chemilumi-nescence responses. The assay, being a sensitive method, was able to provide further useful laboratory investigation in diagnosing 4 patients with chronic granulomatous disease.
Candidacidal assay was used to assess the phagocytic and killing activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from paediatric patients diagnosed to manifest with characteristics of atopic dermatitis. From this group of patients evaluated, all the 11 cases exhibited lower candidacidal activity in comparison to the normal children. However, there were no abnormalities observed in the engulfing abilities and myeloperoxidase activities of these leukocytes. The result indicated that lower killing capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in these patients may contribute to the frequent bacterial infections in atopic dermatitis children.