Whole Blood Chemiluminescence As an Acute Phase Reactant

Abstract

AbstractChemiluminescent response of whole blood was estimated as a function of acute phase reactant and compared with ESR and CRP in various types of pediatric patients with fever. 0.1 ml of whole blood was used as the material, and two parameters concerning the phagocytic function of whole blood were used: (1) Peak CL; total phagocytic function of whole blood reflecting the number of granulocytes in a specimen and their function; (2) Peak CL per 103 whereas viral infections consisting of upper respiratory infection, varicella and systemic bacterial infections showed an increased peak CL, not only due to the increased number of granulocytes, but also due to the enhanced CL response of the granulocytes themselves (thus peak CL per 103 PMN was laso increased), whereas viral infections consisting of upper respiratory infection, varicella and mumps, and acute leukemia in the active stage did not have a remarkable influence on the two parameters. In many types of febrile illness peak CL/103 PMN was significantly correlated with ESR and CRP, but not with granulocyte counts. ESR and CRP also did not correlate with granulocyte counts. Thus it was confirmed that the whole blood CL method is useful as a quick test with a small amount of specimen for evaluating febrile patients; concerning the intensity of inflammation as well as phagocyte (granulocyte) functions.