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Quantitative assessment of bactericidal ability of leukemic cells in childhood acute leukemia
Author(s) -
Komiyama Atsushi,
Saitoh Hiroharu,
Kawai Hiroshi,
Tsukada Masashige,
Akabane Taro
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830080211
Subject(s) - phagocytosis , leukemia , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , acute myeloblastic leukemia , intracellular , staphylococcus aureus , intracellular parasite , biology , acute leukemia , chemistry , immunology , genetics
Bactericidal ability of leukemic cells was evaluated in four children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and in two with acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL) by means of quantitative assay of intracellular viable bacteria and by electron microscopy. The electron microscopy confirmed phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by the leukemic cells. The leukemic cells killed a significantly smaller proportion of phagocytized bacteria than normal neutrophils. In some patients the leukemic cells virtually lacked bactericidal ability, despite presence of phagocytic ability. The defect of the cells in killing bacteria was more prominent in AML than in AMoL. The clinical importance of the defective bactericidal ability of leukemic cells is discussed.