Abstract

Patients with bacterial infection may show altered membrane permeability of the primary azurophilic lysosomes of blood neutrophils. A new enzyme cytochemical technique, sensitive to increased membrane permeability caused by contact of neutrophils with acetone, saponin, low pH, Streptolysin O, bacteria, and nylon wool, has been developed. The method is of potential value as a screening test for bacterial infection and for detecting neutrophil damage during filtration leucopheresis.