[Decrease in the intensity of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

The ability of neutrophils to generate free oxygen forms, and the activity of glutathione-conjugated enzymes and superoxide dismutase were investigated in 94 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. A drop in the oxygen-generating ability of the patients' neutrophils was revealed. The interrelation between the decrease of activity of antioxidative enzymes and the drop in the oxygen-generating ability of neutrophils are shown. Clinical and pathophysiological importance of the changes revealed is discussed.