Leucocyte function in iron-deficiency anemia.

Production of hydrogenperoxide and myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination, by leucocytes was studied in normal subjects and subjects suffering from iron-deficiency anemia. The leucocytes obtained from severe cases of iron-deficiency anemia showed decreased myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination. Defective myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination can explain the basis for the leucocyte microbicidal defect in iron deficiency anemia.