[Functional activity of neutrophils in patients with abdominal typhus].

Cytochemistry and cytofluorometry were employed to study the main components of the intraleukocyte microbicide system of neutrophils in 52 patients with typhoid fever. During the disease there was a consistent decrease in the content of cationic protein and in the activity of leukocyte myeloperoxidase depending on the stage and severity of the pathological process. At the same time an increase in the glycogen content and activation of acid and alkaline phosphatases of leukocytes with a maximum at the disease height were detected. Addition of the complications aggravated cytochemical alterations in the cell and led to the delay in their elimination. Profound qualitative and quantitative changes in the activity of intracellular components with a visible clinical recovery of the patients pointed to an unfavourable prognosis.