Changes of immunological parameters in immunocompromised patients under selective decontamination of the digestive tract. Second Part: Investigations on the influence of drugs on zymosan-induced and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of peripheral leucocytes.

The influence of drugs used for selective decontamination, given in therapeutically effective concentrations, was examined in healthy controls and immunocompromised patients with hematologic systemic diseases by measuring the zymosan-induced and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of peripheral leucocytes. Drug-induced repression of phagocytic activity could usually be found both in healthy controls and in patients with hematologic systemic diseases. The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamerazine had a pronounced repressive effect. Such indications should be taken as a basis for further investigations in order to avoid additional iatrogenic restriction of defence. If possible, drugs with effects leading to repression of phagocytosis should not be used for selective decontamination.