[Study of platelet function by quantitative determination of the fluorescence intensity of 5HT-organelles].

Assay of the fluorescence intensity of 5HT-organelles was performed to examine the functional properties of platelets from patients with meningococcal infection. Platelets were found to have a higher capacity for endocytosis at the height of the disease, tending to its normalization with treatment and convalescence. Incubation of donor's plasma rich in platelets with meningococcal lipopolysaccharide was discovered to lead to an appreciable increase in the absorption capacity of platelets. It is suggested that endotoxinemia is one of the factors responsible for the impairment of platelet function.