Cytochemical Characterization of Eosinophils with Respect to a Newly Discovered Anomaly

Ultrastructure of Human Eosinophils Genetically Lacking Peroxidase

“…The negative response with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine is in agreement with the re sults obtained by light microscopy [10,12,13], except that in several cells we detected positively reacting granules ( fig. 6b), which were not detectable by the light microscope.…”

“…We have demonstrated in previous studies that apart from lacking peroxi dase, the eosinophils may also lack phos pholipids attached to it, as is apparent from Sudan black B staining [10,13,14], No matter the responsible reactant, Schaefer and Fischer [15] suggested that it is the peroxidase activity which counts. We have suggested that the phospholipids are the crucial component of importance in this matter [10,12].…”

“…We have suggested that the phospholipids are the crucial component of importance in this matter [10,12].…”

“…We found that the de fect was autosomal, recessive [11,12] and occasionally accompanied by hyperseg mentation of the nucleus and paucity of the specific granules [11]. Additional cytochemical differences as compared to nor mal eosinophils were not detected [10,13], nor did the afflicted persons show any signs of disease. We have put forward the hypothesis that the aberration stems from a mutation in the regulatory gene, espe cially since a family was encountered in which some members showed only partial deficiency rather than total loss [12].…”

Deficiency of Eosinophil Peroxidase Detected by Automated Cytochemistry

“…Individuals with inherited deficiency of neutrophil/monocyte peroxidase [4,5] have normal levels of eosinophil per oxidase. Eosinophil peroxidase deficiency with nor mal levels of the neutrophil enzyme has seldom been reported [6]. We report a patient in whom a selective deficiency of eosinophil peroxidase was detected by flow cytochemistry (Technicon H-6000).…”