John E. Repine

Deficiency of the Second Component of Complement (C2) with Chronic Vasculitis

A patient had complete deficiency of the second component of complement associated with chronic vasculitis and increased susceptibility to infection. We discuss here results of the complement profile, histocompatibility typing, and studies of the functional properties of patient plasma or serum in chemotaxis and opsonization in relation to the disease entity and host susceptibility to infection.

Primary Leucocyte Alkaline Phosphatase Deficiency in an Adult with Repeated Infections

SUMMARY. An individual with repeated bacterial infections, eczema, hyperimmuno‐globulin E, and a primary deficiency of leucocyte alkaline phosphatase is described. The LAP‐deficient neutrophils from this patient had marginally deficient bactericidal activity particularly when challenged with high ratios of bacteria per neutrophil. Leucotactic, metabolic and morphologic features of the neutrophils from the patient were normal. Evidence is presented which contrasts this patients condition with previously described primary or secondary deficiencies of LAP.

Effect of Levamisole on Morphology, Bactericidal Activity, and Metabolism of Human Neutrophils in Vitro

Summary In previous studies the ant-helmintic agent, levamisole hydrochloride, has been shown to alter function of mono-cytes and macrophages as well as to increase random locomotion and chemotaxis of neu-trophils. In the present investigation we have extended knowledge about this potentially clinically useful agent. We found that in the optimal range of doses used in prior studies, levamisole produces vacuole formation but does not alter bactericidal activity, oxygen consumption, [l-14C]glucose oxidation, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, or chemiluminescence of neutrophils from normal subjects. We have also demonstrated that levamisole has no effect on neutrophils from patients with chronic granulomatous disease. The results suggest that the major effects of levamisole on neutrophil function relate to its ability to improve random locomotion and chemotaxis.