Functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and individuality of Jorge Lobo's disease: absence of the specific leukocyte digestive defect against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Peripheral blood neutrophils (PMNs) from a patient with Jorge Lobo's disease (JLD) digested well phagocytosed Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We found no circulating antibodies against P. brasiliensis in the patient's serum. Such neutrophils showed myeloperoxidase activity and also digested normally phagocytosed Candida albicans. We had previously reported the presence of a specific digestive deficiency of PMNs from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PARA) vis à vis P. brasiliensis. Current findings provide new information about leukocyte functions in JLD and bolster the view that JLD, PARA and their respective causative microorganisms are distinct.