Abstract
Effective ingestion and killing of invading bacteria by neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is an important aspect of pulmonary host defense.1 Opsonins play a key role in the process by facilitating uptake of bacteria by PMN. Opsonic substances in serum include heat-stable components such as specific antibody, which usually develops later in the course of infection, and heat-labile factors, like those produced rapidly by activation of the complement cascade.2 Following engulfment of opsonized bacteria, PMN consume oxygen, undergo a series of metabolic reactions, and produce highly reactive oxygen intermediates.
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