The Cellular Composition of Inflammatory Exudates in Human Leukemias

Abstract

Abstract An induced inflammation in patients with the leukemias was studied with reference to the cellular character of the exudate. Patients with the chronic forms of leukemia generally exhibited a normal cellular response. The granulocytic character of the exudate was proportional to the number of circulating mature neutrophils and metamyelocytes. Immature leukemic cells were not found in the exudates. The patients with acute leukemia with markedly reduced circulating mature granulocytes responded with acellular exudates or with marked qualitative and quantitative alteration in cellular composition. Bacterial infection was most frequent in the patients with few or no cells in the exudate. The nature of the defect or defects in leukemia relating to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection are reviewed.