Metabolic and Bactericidal Activities of Human Eosinophils*

Abstract

S ummary . Eosinophils obtained from three patients with transient eosinophilia and polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMN) obtained from young adults with acute suppurative infections were compared with regard to their metabolic and bactericidal responses to phagocytosis. Eosinophils ingested zymosan particles and staphylococci more slowly and to a lesser extent than did PMN, and displayed a more potent oxidative response during phagocytosis which led to a greater production of intracellular hydrogen peroxide. This enhanced oxidative response was primarily due to increased activity of TPNH oxidase, a granule enzyme, rather than the soluble DPNH oxidase which mediates hydrogen peroxide production in neutrophils. Despite the enhanced peroxide production, eosinophils were less bactericidal than PMN.