Leukocyte function in familial Mediterranean fever.

Neutrophilic leukocytes of patients with familial Mediterranean fever and of normal control subjects were studied in vitro. FMF neutrophils were found to be morphologically normal by light and electron microscopy and to have normal quantities of the lysosomal enzyme lysozyme. FMF cells demonstrated a slight decrease in their ability to migrate randomly in capillary tubes, this was primarily seen in Armenian patients and in those experiencing an acute attack. The leukocytes of these patients functioned normally in regard to their chemotactic and Candida-killing activity.