[Clinical patameters associated with oxygen-dependent metabolism in neutrophils in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and leukocytopenia].

The article presents results of examination designed to study parameters characterizing the peripheral blood neutrophils functional activity in leukocytopenia in patients with diffusive disorders of the connective tissue (systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis), with the above values having come to be used in the assessment of severity of the course, differential diagnosis of complications, and prognostication of the condition. Such cytochemical indices as activity of myeloperoxidase, amounts of cationic proteins, capability of neutrophils to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium to diphormazine (NBT-test) are considered to be of much informative value which have come to be widely used in the diagnosis and prognosis of a great many of various medical problems. Defects in neutrophils are shown, disturbances are pointed out in their functional activity evidenced by the decline in their capability of reducing NBT. Poststimulation metabolic activity is but inadequately increased as compared to results in the control group. Of practical value is screening of patients presenting with low values for the functional reserve of heterophilic leucocytes, the purpose of which screening being early prognostication of the course of pyo-inflammatory complications.