A study on some immunological parameters in infants with salmonellosis.

The phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclears from peripheral blood (PMN) and the qualitative characteristic of lymphocyte populations and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were studied dynamically in 35 infants with salmonellosis. The phagocytic activity of PMNs was evaluated by phagocytic index, phagocytic number, the absolute phagocytic index and the nitroblue tetrazolium test. Lymphocyte populations were determined by immunofluoroscent assay with monoclonal antibodies, and CIC by precipitation with polyethylene glycol. Decreased level of the PMNs phagocytic activity was found in the acute phase of salmonellosis. Both B- and T-lymphopenia with subset dysbalance associated with greater decrease of T4 lymphocytes were identified. During the convalescent period the immunological parameters of the bacteriologically healthy infants were close to normal whereas the Salmonella bacteria carriers demonstrated deviations which persisted in the acute phase of the disease. The immunological parameters studied can be used as additional diagnostic and prognostic criteria in infants with salmonellosis.

Aspects of granulocyte function in workers professionally exposed to pesticides.

Granulocyte function in 92 workers from a chemical plant for the production of pesticides was tested by means of the nitro-blue tetrazolium test (spontaneous and stimulated) and the phagocytosis test. Two opposite types of change were identified, namely increased and reduced functional activity. No reliable correlation between the studied parameters and length of service was found. In comparison with the routine hematological methods, the identified functional changes in polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes serve as an early indicator of an impact on the leukocytes. The applied methods are accessible and may be used as an objective means of studying the dynamics of the unfavorable effect of zineb and of identifying groups at increased toxicological risk.