Assessment of host defence against infection during chemotherapy of Hodgkin's disease.

Simultaneous measurements of leucocyte numbers and function have been made during combination chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease. There was a marked fall in the numbers of circulating mononuclear cells during the chemotherapy cycle in many patients. The migratory, phagocytic, candidacidal, and bactericidal activities of polymorphs and monocytes were frequently depressed. Patients often showed isolated abnormalities while clinically free from infection. In contrast, simultaneous depression of several parameters appeared to be associated with infection.