Using flow cytometry, we quantitatively examined the density of the CD16 (IgG Fc receptor III) antigen on neutrophils in healthy control subjects, in patients with neutrophilia due to bacterial infection, and in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (chronic myeloid leukemia [CML], polycythemia vera, or essential thrombocythemia). The density was expressed as the mean fluorescence intensity of neutrophils stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody. We also determined leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity semiquantitatively in the same population. The mean (± SD) density of the CD16 antigen on neutrophils in patients with CML (n = 13; 240.4 ± 134.8) was lower (P<.001) than in healthy control subjects (n = 25; 656.6 ± 238.0), and the density was Alkaline phosphatase activity is decreased in the neutrophils of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but not in these cells of patients with other hematologic disorders.1 The determination of this activity is therefore useful for the differential diagnosis of CML. However, this determination is performed by a cytochemical method and is not quantitative, and measurement takes a long time. Many other biochemical and functional defects are present in the neutrophils of patients with CML.2 -3 The phagocytic capacity of neutrophils is also decreased in CML.
-4 Phagocytosis is mediated mostly by neutrophils, 5 and is enhanced by the interaction of specific antibodies binding foreign bodies, such as bacteria, and IgG-Fc receptor III (CD16) on neutrophils.6 This immunophagocytosis is also decreased in CML.7 This decrease may be caused by the decrease in the density of the CD16 antigen on neu-