High plasma, erythrocyte, lymphocyte and granulocyte zinc concentrations in a patient with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Zinc determinations were made in a 5 month-old female with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Zinc concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes from the patient were significantly higher than those in healthy children of a similar age, and were higher than--or equal to--those of healthy adults. Lymphocyte zinc levels in the parents were significantly lower than those of healthy adults. Although the cause of the high zinc concentrations in these samples cannot be fully explained , abnormally high zinc levels may be partially responsible for impairment of some leukocyte functions in patients with CHS since zinc plays a central role in cellular metabolism.

Treatment of seven cases of chronic granulomatous disease with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP).

Seven male Japanese children with chronic granulomatous disease were given sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) for recurrent pyogenic infections, most of which had proved difficult to control with other antibiotics. With continous treatment the children remained free of infections severe enough to necessitate hospitalization, except on one occasion. Serious complications, including hematological disorders, never occurred during therapy and there were no changes in leukocyte function during therapy. These results indicate that SMX-TMP should be considered in the treatment of bacterial infections associated with chronic granulomatous disease.